When your child needs assistance with activities of daily living like dressing, eating, hygiene, or fine motor skills, occupational therapy and sensory processing can address these skills to improve a child’s quality of life and daily participation. As your little one embarks on this journey, your therapist may discuss other ways to maximize the effectiveness of therapy sessions. One key factor that parents can control at home is helping their child get enough quality sleep. To help you understand why adequate sleep can boost the results of therapy, here’s a guide to the connection between sleep, cognition, and learning.

How Sleep Affects Occupational Therapy

The purpose of occupational therapy is to help children develop lifelong skills such as hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, eating techniques, personal hygiene, grooming, and ease of movement. Studies have found that along with parental support and proper nutrition, sleep helps a child’s overall development. Sleep is critical for physical and cognitive growth, especially during the first two years of life. During therapy sessions, a well-rested child will also have the energy to try new actions and the ability to absorb more information while maintaining a positive mood and attitude. 

How Parents Can Promote Healthy Sleeping Habits

While some children can be resistant to saying goodnight, it’s a parent’s responsibility to help them maintain a regular sleep schedule by creating and maintaining a predictable bedtime routine and enforcing a consistent bedtime. Ideally, bedtimes and wake up times should remain consistent even on weekends or holidays. 

In addition to establishing a routine, make sure your child’s bedroom is calm and conducive to good sleep. This could mean removing tech devices, reducing the number of distracting toys and bright lights in the room, and adding curtains that will block out the early morning sun. Electronic devices such as tablets and televisions emit blue light that interferes with sleep, so help your little one get to bed with a book or story. Sugary beverages and treats also increase alertness, so offer a glass of water instead. 

If you’re searching for an occupational therapy center to hone your child’s skills, visit All for Kids Pediatric Therapy Clinic in the greater Anchorage, AK area. Since 2005, this clinic has specialized in a wide range of therapies to help all children grow and thrive. Their services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, feeding and swallowing therapy, and sensory processing interventions to help little ones improve language and motor skills from infancy through adolescence. Learn more about their approach on their website or call (907) 345-0050 to schedule a tour of their facility.