Sleep

We spend about a third of our life sleeping – but that’s not wasted time. Keep awake to find out more about this necessary activity.

CONNECT:

• Here’s a good introduction to several aspects of sleeping: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/JustForKids/Life/OnePagers/Pages/OnePagerSleep.aspx
• Why is sleep important? Find out why at http://www.sleepforkids.org/
• When we’re asleep the brain is still active. Find out about its work at http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/sleep.html
• How do you sleep in outer space? Find at out at http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMAIP6TLPG_LifeinSpace_0.html
• Learn how marine animals sleep: at http://marinelife.about.com/od/marinelife101/tp/SleepInMarineAnimals.htm
• Trace the historical and cultural perspectives of sleep at http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/history

CREATE:

• Some animals are nocturnal: they sleep in the day and are active at night. Watch and listen to them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVloVe4jWMU.  Try making some animal night sounds yourself.
• Children sing lullabies around the world. Hear them, and sing along, at http://www.songsforteaching.com/lullabies/.   (And you can listen to 8 hours of lullabies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU0fYzuypXg).
• Having nightmares? Try drawing them, or making a mask about them. Get details at http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-wisdom-your-dreams/201004/working-childrens-dreams-especially-nightmares
• Create a dreamcatcher following these directions: http://www.kidzworld.com/article/26775-how-to-make-a-dream-catcher

CARE:

• What causes sleeping, and what happens when you walk in your sleep? How can you keep safe? Get the inside story at http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepwalking.html#
• Do you have nocturnal enuresis (that’s sleep wetting)? It runs in families. Found out how to deal with it at http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/bladder/enuresis.html
• What can you do if you can’t sleep? Try these tips: http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/cant_sleep.html
• Why do some teens have trouble sleeping? Find out at http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/sleep.html#

CAREER:

What is your dream career? Babysitting might be your first paying job that deals with sleep. Lots of adults deal with sleep: doctors, scientists, anthropologists, clothing designers and manufacturers, furniture makers and sellers, even artists. Here are a couple of leads:

http://school.sleepeducation.com/sleepcareers.aspx

http://healthcareers.about.com/od/healthcareerprofiles/p/SleepCareers.htm