Background
For several years now, I have been involved with some highly successful children’s sleep workshops that have been taking place in Bournemouth. It all started when I was asked to contribute to a sleep workshop which was being developed by Winton Primary School and Barnardo’s Bournemouth Children’s Centres. Other schools became interested and due to the success and growing demand from both parents and professionals, the workshops run (each term) from Winton Primary School with the continued support of Barnardo’s. Much of that success has been due to inspirational leadership ofMrs Pat Bate, the parent-child support worker at Winton Primary School, and Patrick Ives at Barnardo’s.
The aim of the workshops is to educate parents about the importance of regular and consistent sleep for children. We explore the consequences of poor sleep for the child in the classroom and at home. We consider the causes of poor sleep and investigate ways in which we can improve children’s sleep. An example of what we do in these workshops is presented at the foot of this page. There is also information there about typical problems with children’s sleep, the causes of poor sleep, the consequences of poor sleep, and (some) solutions.
The workshops have become very popular and we have many testimonies form parents who have been to our workshops (see links to national media attention and internet blogs below). The work has been so successful that we plan to extend the work well beyond Dorset (see below). Although other schools have held some workshops (including Kinson Primary School, Heathlands School and St Walburga’s Catholic School) the Bournemouth sleep workshops are now centralised at Winton Primary School. We welcome referrals from any school at all workshops, and from health visitors, GPs, or anyone else working locally with children and families.
- Media reports and blogs about the workshops
- Why ‘Sleep Workshops’ really do get kids into bed: Blog by Sue Atkins
- Hot Radio, Bournemouth – February 21st 2013
- BBC Radio Solent – November 21st 2012
- BBC Radio Sheffield – November 21st 2012
- BBC Breakfast – November 21st 2012
- BBC Radio 5 Live Night-time show – November 20th 2012
- BBC Radio 5 Live Drive – November 16th 2012
- Bournemouth Echo – November 12th 2012
- ITV Daybreak – November 1st 2012
- Talk Radio Europe – August 2012
- Daily Mail – July 2012
- TES – July 2012
- Bournemouth Echo – December 2010
- Bournemouth Echo – June 2010
MORE ABOUT CHILDREN’S SLEEP AND OUR WORKSHOPS
Typical problems with children’s sleep
- Refusing to go to bed
- Difficulty settling
- Getting up again
- Waking often
- Entering parent’s bed
Less common problems
- Night terrors
- Nightmares
- Sleep walking
As we develop this site, we will include advice about of these issues mentioned above. Watch this space!
Consequences of poor sleep (at school and home)
- Tiredness
- Poor concentration and attention
- Disruptive behaviour
- Emotional problems
- Accidents
- Arguments
- Poorer health
Possible causes
- Lack of bedtime routine and consistency
- Poor daytime exercise
- Not enough daylight
- Caffeine
- Diet
- Bedroom environment (light, warmth, ventilation)
- Technology in the bedroom (TV, Internet, mobile phones, games consoles)
Some solutions
- Routine and consistency
- Reading
- Relaxation
- Wind-down time
- Sticker reward charts
- Praise and encouragement
A typical workshop
- Discussion groups and interactive sessions
- Feedback, questions and answers
- Academic presentation on the science of sleep
- Access to parent support referrals
- Reinforcement and positive behaviour
- Case studies – evidence of success
Presentations:MS PowerPointPDF
