Question

The nicest thing for me is sleep, and then at least I can dream.~ Marilyn Monroe Broadly speaking, it might be argued that the most fundamental requirements for healthy growth and development in young children include: a) loving support and protection by parents/caretakers, b) adequate nutrition, and c) adequate sleep! Everything that's alive needs sleep to survive. Even your dog or cat curls up for naps. Animals sleep for the same reason you do — to give your body a tiny vacation. Not only is sleep necessary for your body, it's important for your brain, too. Though no one is exactly sure what work the brain does when you're asleep, some scientists think that the brain sorts through and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems while you snooze. One more reason to get enough sleep: If you don't, you may not grow as well. That's right, researchers believe too little sleep can affect growth and your immune system — which keeps you from getting sick. I always tell my children that your body heals itself while you sleep! Assignment: Read the 5.1 Sleep Article Write three eye openers or light bulb moments you learned from the article What was your favorite bedtime routine? What was a favorite story or book (or your child’s or grandchild if you did not have one or what will you do for your child someday)? Write in a Word document and click on the link above to submit.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary. Also, since you have not mentioned the name of the reading article for the “three eye openers” question, I presume you are referring to the passage above.

(Answer)

(1) Read the 5.1 Sleep Article Write three eye openers or light bulb moments you learned from the article.

(a) Adequate sleep is essential for the immune system – The immune system is generally viewed as a very different tangent from sleeping patterns. However, our body fights diseases and through instructions given by the brain to our immune system and sleep is essential for a brain to properly function.

(b) The brain sorts information and replaces chemicals when one is asleep – This is surely a “light bulb” statement because one might generally assume that the brain would shut down most functions at the time of rest. However, the brain is performing a whole different set of functions while one is asleep.

(c) Sleep affects growth – It might seem unrelated but sleep and growth are in fact inseparable. This is probably why a growing infant would generally require more than 17 hours of sleep. Our bodies tend to heal and grow best when we are asleep. Muscle, bone, brain development and healing takes place at the optimal level when one is asleep. This is also why a patient is generally advised rest at the time of convalescence.

(2) What was your favorite bedtime routine?

A lullaby or bedtime story has generally been a favoured bedtime routine. It helps soothe the mind and a good story helps a child’s imagination transition from reality to a dream state. This might help one’s body-clock adjust to the environment and enter a state of rest.

(3) What was a favorite story or book (or your child’s or grandchild if you did not have one or what will you do for your child someday)?

Classics like the ‘little mermaid’, ‘Tom Thumb and Thumbelina’ and Dr. Seuss books work well as bedtime stories. The illustrations of such books, the imaginative plotlines, the rhymes and amusing situations help the mind focus on pleasant situations. This helps calm the nerves and almost act like a sedative that induces sleep.