Understanding why rest is important can help us feel better and do better at school and play.
What is Rest?
Rest means taking a break to relax and recharge our energy. Just like a phone needs to be charged to work properly, our bodies and brains need rest to function well. When we rest, we can think more clearly and feel happier.
Why is Rest Important?
- Helps Us Grow and Learn
When we get enough rest, our bodies and brains grow stronger. During sleep, our brains sort through everything we’ve learned in the day. Imagine your brain as a big filing cabinet; when you rest, it puts away all the information neatly so you can find it again later!
- Keeps Us Healthy
Resting gives our bodies time to fight off germs and stay strong. If we don’t rest enough, we might feel tired and could even get sick. Think of your body like a superhero who needs to recharge its special powers!
- Improves Our Mood
When we’re well-rested, we tend to feel happier and more positive. If you’re tired, it’s easier to feel grumpy or sad. Picture a balloon: if it’s full of air, it’s cheerful and buoyant, but if it’s deflated, it just droops. Rest keeps our balloons full!
- Helps Us Focus
Have you ever tried to do homework when you’re really tired? It’s difficult to concentrate! Getting enough sleep helps us pay attention and do our best in school. Imagine trying to read a book when you’re half asleep – it just doesn’t work well!
How Much Rest Do We Need?
Children aged 7 to 12 need around 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. That’s like recharging a battery: if we let it run too low, it might not work at all!
What Can We Do to Get Good Rest?
- Have a Bedtime Routine: Going to bed at the same time every night helps our bodies understand it’s time to rest. You could read a book or listen to calming music before sleep.
- Stay Active During the Day: Running, playing sports, or even just walking outside helps us feel more tired at bedtime. Think of it as building up energy in a big balloon!
- Limit Screen Time: Too much time on phones or tablets before bed can make it hard to fall asleep. Maybe read a story instead!
Fun Activities to Understand Rest
Sleep Diary
You can keep a sleep diary for one week. Write down what time you go to bed and what time you wake up. At the end of the week, talk about how you feel on days when you had enough rest versus days when you didn’t.
Balloon Experiment
Take two balloons. Inflate one fully and leave the other slightly deflated. Observe how the full balloon floats and the deflated one drops. Discuss how just like the balloons, we need to be ‘full’ of energy from rest to feel our best!
Rest is very important for our growth, health, mood, and focus. By ensuring we get enough sleep and take breaks during the day, we can help ourselves feel great and enjoy all our activities.
Written by Mrs Windett and the Wellbeing Leaders
