I've never been good at keeping diaries, but I really thought that this would keep me motivated.
I think I may have to dedicate one day a week to update this, so that means that any more would be a bonus!
What a fantastic start to 2011. What a great team I work with, great parents and of course absolutely brilliant kids. What more could a Principal want!
I started this year's newsletters with little snippets that I think may help the overall hauora of both kids and adults in the Wairakei family alike! We started the year with a great PD session with Nathan Mikaere Wallis, who helped us understand a little of the human brain and how it works.
This got me thinking ... and so I put a wee piece in the newsletter about sleep patterns and the benefits of having regular routines and times etc.
This is what I wrote (from Principal's Digest).
Getting a good night’s sleep often comes down to routines. Any factor that decreased the quality or quantity of sleep will lead to difficulty with school performance and poor behaviour problems. When children stay up late at night texting in bed or playing computer games, they are increasing their risk for neurocognitive problems. According to research, having a regular bedtime was the most consistent predictor of positive developmental outcomes in four year olds. In this 8000 person sample, language, reading and maths scores were higher in children whose parents reported enforcing regular bedtimes.
The number of nightly sleep hours required by children varies by age. In general, five year olds should get 11 hours of sleep, nine year olds need 10 hours and 14 year olds require at least 9 hours. If the child is not alert and functioning properly during the day, sleep length should be gradually increased or decreased, or the bedtime routine should be adjusted.
Right ... now I have to put into action the above for myself!
Til next time
Keep smiling
Great to read your post. Hope all is well. Paul
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