Child can’t wind down at night? Why some kids struggle to go to sleep
By Amanda Morin
Expert reviewed by Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, PhD, NCC, DCMHS, LMHC
Quick tips to help kids wind down at night
- Quick tip 1End screen time an hour before bed.
End screen time an hour before bed.Work toward a goal of turning off electronics an hour before bedtime. This can help kids’ brains wind down more easily. Start by shutting off electronics 15 minutes before bed. Then try 30 minutes, working your way up to an hour.
Lots of kids have trouble winding down at night from time to time. But bedtime can be a nightly struggle for some families. Why is it so hard for some kids to relax and drift off to sleep?
Trouble winding down can be related to worry and anxiety. It can also be related to fun stuff. Some kids get so wrapped up in what they’re doing that they have trouble switching gears at bedtime. Others don’t want to miss out on something cool that’s happening after they’re supposed to be asleep.
Here are other reasons kids may have trouble winding down:
Not having the music, stuffed animal, or person they “need” to fall asleep (you may hear this called sleep association)
Being afraid of the dark, of having nightmares, or of other nighttime-related things
Getting stuck on thoughts and problems
Going through big changes at home, like a new baby or the death of a family member
Having high levels of energy, or hyperactivity
Changes in routine can also throw off kids’ sleep schedules. For example, sleeping later in the morning can make it harder to wind down at night.
