Things Teachers Can Do to Help Students with ADHD (Cathryn Harper)

This year, between three and five percent of school aged children will be among those diagnosed with ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Some will be met with understanding and well-trained teachers and aides, minimizing the challenges for children struggling with the disorder. Others will not be so lucky. With crowded classrooms and limited funding, some schools find it difficult just to meet the demands of the average student.

For those teachers who have not explored the ADHD landscape of late, here are several points that can make a difference as far as understanding the student with ADHD symptoms, and helping everyone turn classroom time into positive, productive days.

Persons with ADHD symptoms are often quite intelligent, with IQ assessments of 120 or higher. The problem most ADHD students have with academic and social tasks comes from impaired cognition with regard to the menu of executive function, or EF tasks. Intelligent, but unable to channel that intelligence properly, it is easy to see why ADHD students become frustrated. Addressing their frustration with calm, quiet discipline as opposed to forceful or physical punishment usually delivers superior results.

ADHD students can become bored with repeated tasks, having already gotten the concepts. Adjusting their assignments or classwork to be more interesting can keep them more engaged.

Easily distracted, either by their own thoughts or nearby activity, ADHD students also have difficulty multi-tasking and following directions. Visual redirection is especially effective with ADHD children. Tapping quietly on their desks or pointing to where they should be working can get them to refocus on the task at hand.

ADHD persons have difficulty organizing, prioritizing, and initiating tasks. Keeping such students on a regular daily schedule can be helpful with regard to those issues.

Many ADHD children do their homework but will forget to turn it in, or in the reverse, forget to bring the assignment home. Signing their planners, putting all their work in a single "going home" folder and giving them a second set of books to keep at home, gives them a far greater chance of being successful with homework and project assignments.

Some ADHD persons show signs at an early age, while others make it through grade school without issue but upon moving into the less structured, multi classroom environment of middle and high school begin to exhibit problems in academic and social environments. Tutors, small groups, and quiet learning areas that avoid overstimulation are helpful in maintaining academic progress.

One of the most important points for teachers and counselors to remember about ADHD students is that they are not choosing to behave the way they do. Simply telling them to stop or thinking that they can alter their behavior to that of the rest of the class, is misguided. This ultimately leads to feelings of anxiety and depression for the student.

ADHD is a very complex, very controversial set of problems with no definitive set of answers. With the explosion of diagnoses over the past few decades, however, intensive studies continue to discover important factors that bring understanding and creative solutions from those in the field. Compassion and patience in tandem with willingness to try to reach out to those afflicted with ADHD despite their sometimes exasperating behaviors will reward those educators, parents, and counselors tasked with educating ADHD students.

With a little help, these children can overcome their challenges and become incredibly successful. As the mother of a child with ADHD, I can tell you, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing pride and confidence appear in a child that was struggling.

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. Click here for more information.

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Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Insomnia (Cathryn Harper)

Nothing contributes more to a good day than a good night's sleep. Sometimes, however, you just cannot fall asleep. Worse yet, sometimes your children just cannot fall asleep. And when mom and dad don't get rested, the rest of the crew usually pays for it as well.

When children have difficulty falling asleep, sometimes parents are aware, sometimes they are not. Symptoms are not always conclusive, but take a variety of forms. The most common symptoms include:

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep
Waking too early
Sleepy during the day
Anxiety
Error or accident prone
Trouble at school (academic or social)
Mood swings
Depression
Hyperactivity
Difficulty remembering things
Aggression

Children sometimes work to avoid bedtime any way they can, including asking for things to eat or drink, asking for another story, or to play one more video game. If a particularly entertaining environment, such as a parent's party or a good movie, is beckoning from another room, that may further aggravate the situation.

It is hard to diagnose whether a child has insomnia since the symptoms are so general and could be caused by so many things. Keeping a sleep diary for a few weeks may help decide whether this is just a temporary problem or turning into a permanent one.

Talking with your pediatrician may also shed light on the situation, helping to eliminate other issues and isolating the true problem. A physical exam to rule out other possibilities is also a good idea, helping to identify whether a child has primary or secondary insomnia. Secondary insomnia is due to a distinct cause such as an underlying disease or condition, where primary is not.

Insomnia may be either of the short-lived acute variety, or the long-term chronic type. The acute type lasts only a few nights or a few weeks and may not require treatment. Chronic insomnia, however, rears its ugly head three or more nights a week for a month or more.

Some patients are referred to a sleep center, where they spend the night with observers and electrodes attached at vital points to set some baselines and provide some insight for doctors in assessing the condition.

Causes are many, from stress, to medication side effects, ADHD, asthma, allergy and muscle cramps. More serious causes running from autism and Asperger's, to neurodevelopmental and bipolar disorders, may also be the culprits. Simpler causes may be too many caffeinated drinks, colas, or energy drinks.

Treatment ranges from initiating a good sleep regimen and some options when sleep is hard to come by, to behavioral therapy and indirect hypnotic suggestions, such as guided fantasy stories embedding a personal fairy tale that helps to put the child in control, giving a feeling of security and relaxation. Other solutions include teaching children how to relax, and providing quiet things for them to do when they wake, like reading, that may, in turn, send them back to their pillow, happily snoozing till dawn.

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For further inquiries please visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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When Sleep is a Monster: 7 Tips to Help with Childhood Insomnia (Cathryn Harper)

Nobody likes a cranky kid, especially parents, but when kids do not get the sleep they need to function well, it is not a pretty picture. Tired, accident prone, moody and depressed, insomniac kids go sleepwalking through their days, which can affect them both academically and socially.

Treating insomnia in children requires an overall assessment. The symptoms could be primary, without an unidentified additional cause; or secondary, due to an underlying disease or condition. Symptoms may also be acute, e.g. short-lived, from a few days to a few weeks; or chronic, showing up three or more nights each week for months on end.

Causes can be many and varied, but finding the cause is a giant step toward finding a solution. If the cause is something critical, such as autism, Asperger's, or a neurodevelopmental or bipolar disorder, treating the disorder should help. If such conditions are ruled out, the likely causes include stress, medication side effects, asthma, allergy, or eczema, which require some treatment to bring relief to both the condition as well as the sleep patterns.

Regardless of the underlying cause, there are steps that parents can take to help get their children, and themselves, some much needed rest:

Have your child evaluated. Parents should start with their child's pediatrician. He or she may in turn recommend following up with specialists to help diagnose an underlying condition, or a sleep specialist who can undertake a sleep study of your child .

Monitor your child's diet. Cola, or energy drinks, contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar, which may affect a child's ability to relax and fall asleep. Bedtime snacks should be light and healthy. Water should be the drink of choice, but warm milk or herbal tea with honey work well, too.

Keep them in regular sleeping schedules. Try to keep their sleep routine consistent and simple. Have them prepare for bed at the same time each evening and begin relaxing activities like reading, prior to falling asleep.

Darken the room. Many children want to leave the lights on when they go to sleep. But studies show that a lighted room contributes to sleep issues. Get them a night-light or put their lights on a dimmer switch, so that they don't have to be in pitch darkness.

Turn off and tune out. Finding a relaxing evening activity that everyone can join in at night prior to snooze time. Activities that stimulate the senses, like video games and TV should be shut down a few hours before bed. White noise machines are available on the market that can supply a consistent soothing background noise.

Minimize stress. Many parents almost laugh when asked whether their children might be experiencing stress, but kids take a large number of cues from parents, and if parents are worried, it is a sure bet that many kids are as well. Look around for sources of stress in your child's life, and try to imagine things from his or her point of view. Things that seem inconsequential to you might be overwhelming to a child . Talking with your child about things like an upcoming test or a bully at school can go along way to calm their fears.

Make them feel secure. For younger children choose a trusted stuffed animal as the "worry dog." Have your child whisper his concerns to the dog while you listen, and keep the stuffed animal by their side during the night. Some psychiatrists have found that writing a personal fairy tale for the child, including familiar toys, friends, family, and places, using warm, heavy, relaxed and secure imagery, is helpful. Reading such fantasy tales before bedtime for a week or more is sometimes all that is needed.

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For more professional information you can visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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If My Child Has ADHD, Do I Have It? (Cathryn Harper)

Your child has just been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and your struggling to understand how she developed it. The first question that comes to your mind, "does this mean that I, or my spouse, gave it to her?" The question of whether or not a parent of a child with ADHD has the same condition is a reasonable question without a definitive answer. The reality is that there are several different proposed causes of ADHD , and genetic links are still yet to be determined.

In fact, one popular belief is that there is an external cause such as a lack of certain vitamins or essential fatty acids,e.g. good fats that we need to eat. Something as simple as a lack of choline caused by cutting out egg yolks, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. A deficiency of DHA (a fat found most abundantly in fish like salmon, catfish, or any other fatty fish such as sardines and anchovies) can cause several problems with the brain and nerves. These are just two examples of potential nutrient deficiencies that can cause ADHD-like symptoms.

While most studies have focused on treatments rather than cause, more formal studies are being conducted to determine a genetic link to ADHD. There are some promising results in identifying deleted or duplicated sequences of DNA in children with the disorder. However, these results are considered only a starting point, and are far from helping identify specific diagnostic tests or treatments. For a parent concerned about having the disorder, the only way to determine this clearly would be to consult a qualified physician, and to undertake treatment once they are diagnosed. If the treatments result in a positive outcome there is further proof that you, the parent of an ADHD child, have the disorder as well.

Many adults do have ADD or ADHD and while they currently make up a smaller market for pharmacological treatments than children, it is becoming clear that adults are being prescribed drugs more frequently than before. For example, Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana, and Methylin) is the most widely prescribed stimulant drug in the United States, rivaling all other countries. It has been proven to be highly effective for treating ADD and ADHD. Most of this is prescribed to children 16 years of age and younger, then ages 17-21 and finally to adults. Many parents are taking the same ADHD medications as their children. This is nothing to be embarrassed about because adult ADHD is real. And perhaps parents who are becoming educated about the symptoms their children are experiencing are beginning to recognize the symptoms in themselves.

It would be more reasonable to assume that you don't have the same attention disorder as your child, unless you are experiencing symptoms that would lead you to believe that you do. As mentioned before, this diagnosis should be made by a skilled psychiatrist or doctor of psychology before jumping to any conclusions or blaming yourself for the fact that your beloved child is struggling. Find a support group, the experiences of others are invaluable, and may help you find the right treatments for you and your child.

Wiley-Blackwell (2009, January 7). Genetic Determinants of ADHD Examined (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, January 7)

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For more professional information you can visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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Practical Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Cathryn Harper)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a recognized and common condition. With the levels of stress that most of us face every day, it is no wonder that this disorder could easily develop. It is good to know that it is a medical condition that can be practically treated with medications and/ or psychotherapy. The primary symptoms associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are tension, inability to relax and persistent worrying over matters that don't call for any extreme concern. Any person with GAD will find it difficult to control the symptoms. It is as if there is a roller coaster of anxiety running through the mind at all times and it will not stop unless the person experiencing these symptoms can find quiet isolation. Other symptoms that accompany this disorder are difficulty concentration, being easily startled, chronic irritability which could lead to drug seeking behavior, general restlessness and insomnia (Hoffman SG, 2008).

The most practical approach to treating GAD is a combination of cognitive therapy and medication. Cognitive therapy is a way or re-training the brain to react to certain stimuli in a healthy manner. For example, if the sound of a dog barking induces a panic attack, the therapist would work with someone to discover what triggers this reaction. These triggers set off a chemical cascade in the brain that induces anxiety. By discovering the thoughts that cause the anxious reaction, the cognitive therapist is then able to help re-route the thinking process to eliminate the sensation of anxiety and panic. Often, by the time a person has reached the doctor's office for this problem, it is necessary to use medication to alleviate the symptoms and protect the body from the dangers of chronic stress.

Currently, the primary pharmacological treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a class of drugs called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors). These medications have been proven to be the best treatment for GAD. They increase the levels of a neurotransmitter (a chemical that facilitates a specific electrical impulse in the brain) called serotonin. When there is enough serotonin in our brains, we feel content, confident, trusting and safe. When serotonin is deficient, we feel scared, worried, shy and insecure (Pollack MH, 2008 ). SSRIs have been proven effective in countless studies. These include medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and citalopram (Celexa), among many others. When someone has remained on one of these medications for 6-8 months, they may be taken off of the medication to determine if it is still needed. The only drawback to SSRIs is the time it takes for them to demonstrate any benefit. This could take 4-6weeks before any results are perceived.

In the interim, drugs known as benzodiazepines are prescribed for short-term relief until the SSRI begins to work and the cognitive therapy starts to show results. These drugs are immediately effective within less than an hour. Alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) and oxazepam (Serax) are some of the commonly prescribed benzodiazepines. These are the most effective medications for anxiety disorders, but they are highly addictive, so doctors usually prescribe a small amount until other treatments begin to help.

All of this is good news. Psychiatrists around the world have a plan to treat GAD. You don't have to live with this problem or be afraid of treatments.

Hoffman SG, S. J. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry , 69;621-632 [Pub Med].

Pollack MH, K. G. (2008 ). The Pharmacology of Anxiety Disorders. Massachusets General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry , Chapter 41.

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For more professional information please visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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If My Child Has ADHD, Do I Have It? (Cathryn Harper)

Your child has just been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and your struggling to understand how she developed it. The first question that comes to your mind, "does this mean that I, or my spouse, gave it to her?" The question of whether or not a parent of a child with ADHD has the same condition is a reasonable question without a definitive answer. The reality is that there are several different proposed causes of ADHD , and genetic links are still yet to be determined.

In fact, one popular belief is that there is an external cause such as a lack of certain vitamins or essential fatty acids,e.g. good fats that we need to eat. Something as simple as a lack of choline caused by cutting out egg yolks, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. A deficiency of DHA (a fat found most abundantly in fish like salmon, catfish, or any other fatty fish such as sardines and anchovies) can cause several problems with the brain and nerves. These are just two examples of potential nutrient deficiencies that can cause ADHD-like symptoms.

While most studies have focused on treatments rather than cause, more formal studies are being conducted to determine a genetic link to ADHD. There are some promising results in identifying deleted or duplicated sequences of DNA in children with the disorder. However, these results are considered only a starting point, and are far from helping identify specific diagnostic tests or treatments. For a parent concerned about having the disorder, the only way to determine this clearly would be to consult a qualified physician, and to undertake treatment once they are diagnosed. If the treatments result in a positive outcome there is further proof that you, the parent of an ADHD child, have the disorder as well.

Many adults do have ADD or ADHD and while they currently make up a smaller market for pharmacological treatments than children, it is becoming clear that adults are being prescribed drugs more frequently than before. For example, Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana, and Methylin) is the most widely prescribed stimulant drug in the United States, rivaling all other countries. It has been proven to be highly effective for treating ADD and ADHD. Most of this is prescribed to children 16 years of age and younger, then ages 17-21 and finally to adults. Many parents are taking the same ADHD medications as their children. This is nothing to be embarrassed about because adult ADHD is real. And perhaps parents who are becoming educated about the symptoms their children are experiencing are beginning to recognize the symptoms in themselves.

It would be more reasonable to assume that you don't have the same attention disorder as your child, unless you are experiencing symptoms that would lead you to believe that you do. As mentioned before, this diagnosis should be made by a skilled psychiatrist or doctor of psychology before jumping to any conclusions or blaming yourself for the fact that your beloved child is struggling. Find a support group, the experiences of others are invaluable, and may help you find the right treatments for you and your child.

Wiley-Blackwell (2009, January 7). Genetic Determinants of ADHD Examined (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, January 7)

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For more professional information you can visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Insomnia (Cathryn Harper)

Nothing contributes more to a good day than a good night's sleep. Sometimes, however, you just cannot fall asleep. Worse yet, sometimes your children just cannot fall asleep. And when mom and dad don't get rested, the rest of the crew usually pays for it as well.

When children have difficulty falling asleep, sometimes parents are aware, sometimes they are not. Symptoms are not always conclusive, but take a variety of forms. The most common symptoms include:

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep
Waking too early
Sleepy during the day
Anxiety
Error or accident prone
Trouble at school (academic or social)
Mood swings
Depression
Hyperactivity
Difficulty remembering things
Aggression

Children sometimes work to avoid bedtime any way they can, including asking for things to eat or drink, asking for another story, or to play one more video game. If a particularly entertaining environment, such as a parent's party or a good movie, is beckoning from another room, that may further aggravate the situation.

It is hard to diagnose whether a child has insomnia since the symptoms are so general and could be caused by so many things. Keeping a sleep diary for a few weeks may help decide whether this is just a temporary problem or turning into a permanent one.

Talking with your pediatrician may also shed light on the situation, helping to eliminate other issues and isolating the true problem. A physical exam to rule out other possibilities is also a good idea, helping to identify whether a child has primary or secondary insomnia. Secondary insomnia is due to a distinct cause such as an underlying disease or condition, where primary is not.

Insomnia may be either of the short-lived acute variety, or the long-term chronic type. The acute type lasts only a few nights or a few weeks and may not require treatment. Chronic insomnia, however, rears its ugly head three or more nights a week for a month or more.

Some patients are referred to a sleep center, where they spend the night with observers and electrodes attached at vital points to set some baselines and provide some insight for doctors in assessing the condition.

Causes are many, from stress, to medication side effects, ADHD, asthma, allergy and muscle cramps. More serious causes running from autism and Asperger's, to neurodevelopmental and bipolar disorders, may also be the culprits. Simpler causes may be too many caffeinated drinks, colas, or energy drinks.

Treatment ranges from initiating a good sleep regimen and some options when sleep is hard to come by, to behavioral therapy and indirect hypnotic suggestions, such as guided fantasy stories embedding a personal fairy tale that helps to put the child in control, giving a feeling of security and relaxation. Other solutions include teaching children how to relax, and providing quiet things for them to do when they wake, like reading, that may, in turn, send them back to their pillow, happily snoozing till dawn.

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For further inquiries please visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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Practical Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Cathryn Harper)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a recognized and common condition. With the levels of stress that most of us face every day, it is no wonder that this disorder could easily develop. It is good to know that it is a medical condition that can be practically treated with medications and/ or psychotherapy. The primary symptoms associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are tension, inability to relax and persistent worrying over matters that don't call for any extreme concern. Any person with GAD will find it difficult to control the symptoms. It is as if there is a roller coaster of anxiety running through the mind at all times and it will not stop unless the person experiencing these symptoms can find quiet isolation. Other symptoms that accompany this disorder are difficulty concentration, being easily startled, chronic irritability which could lead to drug seeking behavior, general restlessness and insomnia (Hoffman SG, 2008).

The most practical approach to treating GAD is a combination of cognitive therapy and medication. Cognitive therapy is a way or re-training the brain to react to certain stimuli in a healthy manner. For example, if the sound of a dog barking induces a panic attack, the therapist would work with someone to discover what triggers this reaction. These triggers set off a chemical cascade in the brain that induces anxiety. By discovering the thoughts that cause the anxious reaction, the cognitive therapist is then able to help re-route the thinking process to eliminate the sensation of anxiety and panic. Often, by the time a person has reached the doctor's office for this problem, it is necessary to use medication to alleviate the symptoms and protect the body from the dangers of chronic stress.

Currently, the primary pharmacological treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a class of drugs called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors). These medications have been proven to be the best treatment for GAD. They increase the levels of a neurotransmitter (a chemical that facilitates a specific electrical impulse in the brain) called serotonin. When there is enough serotonin in our brains, we feel content, confident, trusting and safe. When serotonin is deficient, we feel scared, worried, shy and insecure (Pollack MH, 2008 ). SSRIs have been proven effective in countless studies. These include medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and citalopram (Celexa), among many others. When someone has remained on one of these medications for 6-8 months, they may be taken off of the medication to determine if it is still needed. The only drawback to SSRIs is the time it takes for them to demonstrate any benefit. This could take 4-6weeks before any results are perceived.

In the interim, drugs known as benzodiazepines are prescribed for short-term relief until the SSRI begins to work and the cognitive therapy starts to show results. These drugs are immediately effective within less than an hour. Alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) and oxazepam (Serax) are some of the commonly prescribed benzodiazepines. These are the most effective medications for anxiety disorders, but they are highly addictive, so doctors usually prescribe a small amount until other treatments begin to help.

All of this is good news. Psychiatrists around the world have a plan to treat GAD. You don't have to live with this problem or be afraid of treatments.

Hoffman SG, S. J. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry , 69;621-632 [Pub Med].

Pollack MH, K. G. (2008 ). The Pharmacology of Anxiety Disorders. Massachusets General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry , Chapter 41.

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For more professional information please visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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When Sleep is a Monster: 7 Tips to Help with Childhood Insomnia (Cathryn Harper)

Nobody likes a cranky kid, especially parents, but when kids do not get the sleep they need to function well, it is not a pretty picture. Tired, accident prone, moody and depressed, insomniac kids go sleepwalking through their days, which can affect them both academically and socially.

Treating insomnia in children requires an overall assessment. The symptoms could be primary, without an unidentified additional cause; or secondary, due to an underlying disease or condition. Symptoms may also be acute, e.g. short-lived, from a few days to a few weeks; or chronic, showing up three or more nights each week for months on end.

Causes can be many and varied, but finding the cause is a giant step toward finding a solution. If the cause is something critical, such as autism, Asperger's, or a neurodevelopmental or bipolar disorder, treating the disorder should help. If such conditions are ruled out, the likely causes include stress, medication side effects, asthma, allergy, or eczema, which require some treatment to bring relief to both the condition as well as the sleep patterns.

Regardless of the underlying cause, there are steps that parents can take to help get their children, and themselves, some much needed rest:

Have your child evaluated. Parents should start with their child's pediatrician. He or she may in turn recommend following up with specialists to help diagnose an underlying condition, or a sleep specialist who can undertake a sleep study of your child .

Monitor your child's diet. Cola, or energy drinks, contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar, which may affect a child's ability to relax and fall asleep. Bedtime snacks should be light and healthy. Water should be the drink of choice, but warm milk or herbal tea with honey work well, too.

Keep them in regular sleeping schedules. Try to keep their sleep routine consistent and simple. Have them prepare for bed at the same time each evening and begin relaxing activities like reading, prior to falling asleep.

Darken the room. Many children want to leave the lights on when they go to sleep. But studies show that a lighted room contributes to sleep issues. Get them a night-light or put their lights on a dimmer switch, so that they don't have to be in pitch darkness.

Turn off and tune out. Finding a relaxing evening activity that everyone can join in at night prior to snooze time. Activities that stimulate the senses, like video games and TV should be shut down a few hours before bed. White noise machines are available on the market that can supply a consistent soothing background noise.

Minimize stress. Many parents almost laugh when asked whether their children might be experiencing stress, but kids take a large number of cues from parents, and if parents are worried, it is a sure bet that many kids are as well. Look around for sources of stress in your child's life, and try to imagine things from his or her point of view. Things that seem inconsequential to you might be overwhelming to a child . Talking with your child about things like an upcoming test or a bully at school can go along way to calm their fears.

Make them feel secure. For younger children choose a trusted stuffed animal as the "worry dog." Have your child whisper his concerns to the dog while you listen, and keep the stuffed animal by their side during the night. Some psychiatrists have found that writing a personal fairy tale for the child, including familiar toys, friends, family, and places, using warm, heavy, relaxed and secure imagery, is helpful. Reading such fantasy tales before bedtime for a week or more is sometimes all that is needed.

Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For more professional information you can visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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