Lincoln Public Schools

Sleep and the School Aged Child

These are some techniques to help your child sleep at night:

• Deep Pressure (Proprioception)
  • Hugs before bed
  • Pillow squish
    • Press a pillow or ball on the child’s body providing them with deep pressure.
  • Heavy or weighted blankets
  • Kid Burrito
    • Roll your child into a “burrito” with the covers before bed
  • Beddy’s sheets
    • A one-piece bedding (like a sleeping bag) that zips-up so they can stay covered.
    • https://beddys.com/pages/what-are-beddys
  • Lycra bed topsheet
    • Stretches
  • Gentle strokes on face
  • Use an electric toothbrush for oral sensory input*
• Movement (Vestibular)
  • Sit in a rocking chair before bed
• Touch
  • Use recently dried blankets (that are still warm) for bedtime.
  • Give them a warm stuffed animal
    • ex) Intelex Cozy Microwaveable Plush
  • Smell
    • Essential oils like lavender
  • Sound
    • White noise machine
    • Noise cancelling headphones
  • Vision
    • Before bed, watch:
      • fish in an aquarium
      • A lava lamp
    • A dimmable night light
    • Avoid watching TV, playing with iPad, and playing with loud and bright toys.
    • A visual schedule to help establish a night routine.
      • Use a pocket chart with printable cards
    • Visual Sleep Clock
      • Clock tells child if it is ok to wake up and get out of bed
        • BabyZoo Alarm Clock
        • OktoWake! Alarm clock

*It is important to note that many children react differently to activities that are ‘typically calming’. These activities are just a general guideline.

Created by: Giselle Rooney, OTS and Dori Fishbone, M.S., OTR/L