Early Years At Heart

The importance of sleep for our children can’t be underestimated!

You let them stay up "just this once." A family event. A late movie. A weekend with no rules. It feels harmless.

Their body disagrees.

Deep sleep is when the body does its most important repair work. Growth hormone is released almost exclusively during slow wave sleep, which happens in the first few hours after falling asleep. Pushing bedtime later cuts that window short. The body simply does not have enough time to finish the job.

The consequences show up fast. A tired child is not just sleepy. They are irritable, impulsive, and emotionally explosive. The prefrontal cortex, which controls behavior and decision making, is highly sensitive to sleep loss. Without enough rest, a child cannot regulate their emotions or think clearly. That is not bad behavior. That is a brain running on empty.

Physical growth suffers too. Growth hormone is released in pulses during deep sleep. Children with consistently late bedtimes have been shown to have lower growth hormone secretion, which can affect height and muscle development over time.

The immune system takes a hit as well. Sleep deprived children get sick more often and take longer to recover. Cytokines, the proteins that fight infection, are produced during sleep. Missing that window leaves the body vulnerable.

Here is what parents can do. Set a consistent bedtime, even on weekends. The body craves routine. Create a wind down period with no screens at least one hour before sleep. Blue light delays melatonin production. Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Watch for signs of sleep deprivation. Waking up groggy, falling asleep during car rides, and sudden mood swings are all red flags.

One late night will not ruin your child. But a pattern of late nights will. Their body is building itself while they sleep. Do not let the clock steal that time.

Oh my I love this! 🙌🏼🌻
I remember one of the very first assignments I completed at teachers college, was about the importance of Play. In it I quoted “Parents are the child’s first and most important teachers”…

This wonderful fellow is 100 years old! What a brilliant advocate for our world - and yes, let’s encourage our children to take care of it 🙌🏼🌏

Simple playdough, something I have on hand in every session due to its many benefits! 🙌🏼

There are so many benefits to playing with play dough!
https://www.theottoolbox.com/benefits-of-play-dough/

Occupational therapist professionals always has a container of play dough in their therapy bag…there are just so many benefits of play dough.

🤏Squish, squeeze, pinch, flatten, roll, cut, stamp, and mold and other fine motor playdough activities are just a few of the ways children can manipulate play dough.

It’s a classic modeling compound that is timeless, holds popularity, as well as longevity in childhood development. We know that the primary job, or occupation, of children is play and playdough offers a tool for play while building skills. Because of that fact, one of the main benefits of play dough is it helps to develop skills while providing hours of satisfying fun for children of any age.

Here's why you should add a pot of playdough to your therapy bag: https://www.theottoolbox.com/benefits-of-play-dough/

Pair it with one of our free play dough mats for interactive fun! https://www.theottoolbox.com/ultimate-guide-to-play-dough-mats/

Sharing Dr Justin Coulson’s post on talking with your children about worrying news in our world 🌍

The US and Israel have struck Iran. This is a globally significant moment.

For many people - including millions of Iranians who have lived under a brutal, oppressive regime for over 40 years - there will be complicated feelings. Hope mixed with fear. Relief tangled with uncertainty.

One thing is clear though: our kids are picking up on all of it.

They're seeing frightening images, hearing anxious adult conversations, and asking questions we don't always know how to answer.

Here's what I know about helping children navigate scary news:

1. Follow their lead, don't get ahead of them.
Don't volunteer more information than they're asking for. Let their questions guide the conversation. A child asking "Is there going to be a war?" needs something different to one asking "Will we be okay?"

2. It's okay to say "I don't know."
You don't need to have all the answers - and making things up to fill the silence does more harm than good. "I'm not sure what's going to happen. Nobody really knows yet. But I'll always be honest with you" is a great answer. None of us is an expert on global affairs. Acknowledge it.

3. Validate before you inform.
Before you explain anything, acknowledge how your child feels. "That does sound really scary. It makes sense that you're worried." Children need to feel heard before they can absorb information.

4. Keep it age-appropriate and honest.
Younger kids need simple, calm reassurance. Older kids can handle more - and they deserve honesty rather than spin. Avoid the urge to over-explain or lecture though. A simple, "Here's what I know... how does that sound to you?" will often be enough.

5. Separate their world from the wider world.
"The world can feel unsafe right now. But our home, our street, our family - we are safe." Kids need to believe that their world is predictable and secure, even when the wider world isn't.

6. Limit exposure to news and social media - for everyone.
The 24-hour news cycle feeds anxiety in adults just as much as children. Brief, intentional check-ins are enough. You don't need to have the news running in the background, and neither do they.

7. Name what's good.
Even in dark moments, there are helpers, peacemakers, and people doing good. Point to them.

8. Stay regulated yourself.
Your children are watching you more than they're watching the news. If you're calm, they're more likely to be calm. Model the steadiness you want them to feel.

9. Keep the door open.
Let your children know they can always come to you, and that no question is too hard or too silly.

Things are a little crazy just now. There are wars going on. But we only know about them because the media tells us. (Note. There are a LOT of wars they're not talking about and those ones don't scare us - because we don't know about them.) The reality is that things are a little crazy all the time.

Our job is not to make our kids feel like the world is perfect. It's not... it's generally stunningly complicated. Our job, instead, is to help our children feel safe, even in an uncertain world. 💙

Week 2 of term….maybe your child is experiencing big feelings after school?

I’m looking forward to the year commencing! A timely reminder to take it easy…

Do you know what your children are playing?

Most parents and carers think they know what apps their children are using. Many do not.

Children and young people spend a huge part of their lives online. Messaging, gaming, live streaming, and social media are part of everyday life. Some of the most popular apps allow contact with strangers, disappearing messages, anonymous accounts, live video, and unmoderated chats. These features can make children vulnerable to grooming, sexual exploitation, bullying, pressure around appearance, and exposure to adult content.

This is not about banning phones or blaming parents. It is about understanding how these apps work and why certain features increase risk. Many children do not realise when a situation becomes unsafe. Many adults do not realise how quickly conversations can move off visible platforms and out of sight.

Online safety starts with awareness and honest conversations. When adults understand the digital spaces children are in, they are better placed to protect them, set boundaries, and respond early when something does not feel right.

Comment "APP" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

Wishing my Early Years At Heart families and colleagues a peace-filled and happy Christmas!
Best wishes, Libby and Hugo ❤️🐾