My Brain Needs a Break

Promote healthy sleep habits and discuss why sleep is important for proper brain function. Use Crayola® Bright Fabric Markers and decorate a pillowcase with colorful tips for peaceful sleep!

• 1.

  Do you ever feel groggy or grumpy? Are there days when you have trouble focusing at school or don’t feel like going to soccer practice? You may not be getting enough sleep!

• 2.

  Sleep is the body’s way of recharging from all the activities and thinking it performs during the day. When you get too little sleep, or do not reach a deep sleep, your brain isn’t able to completely recover from a busy day and get ready for the next! Our brains use sleep time to sort through the days’ events, store information and memories, and replenish our bodies so we can stay healthy and fit! Think of all the things you do in a day. You learn, do homework, run and play after school, complete chores, and much more! It’s easy to see why your brain needs a break!

• 3.

  So how much sleep is enough sleep? People tend to think 8 hours of sleep each night is best. For some people, 8 hours is plenty. The truth is that everyone requires a different amount of sleep daily! Between kindergarten and 6th grade, 10-11 hours of sleep every night is recommended. How much sleep do you get on a typical night? Can you come up with some ideas to increase the amount of sleep you get? Can you think of ways to achieve a more sound sleep at night? Going to bed at the same time every night can be very helpful! Quietly reading before bedtime instead of watching TV is another routine that can prepare your mind for sleep.

• 4.

  Brainstorm with your class to make a list of suggestions and tips for healthy sleep habits. Research on the Internet or consult with your school nurse for more ideas! Select 3-5 tips that you think would be helpful to you and commit to including those suggestions in your nightly bedtime routine!

• 5.

  Create colorful designs that symbolize the tips you selected. Draw your designs on a pillowcase using Crayola® Bright Fabric Markers! For best results, use 100% cotton fabric. Place a piece of paper or recycled newspaper inside the pillowcase to prevent bleed through. Be sure to saturate the cloth when using the Bright Fabric Markers. Apply multiple layers for vivid color! Stain Advisement: Fabric markers are permanent on clothing and contain colorants that may stain household surfaces. Wear a smock to protect clothing and cover your work surface. Recap markers as soon as possible and store in a horizontal position. Do not shake markers.

• 6.

  When you are finished, ask an adult to iron your design. Set iron on cotton setting and iron on the reverse side using a back and forth motion for 4 minutes. Or place garment in the dryer for 30 minutes on the hottest setting. This will fix the color to the fabric.

Benefits

• Students discuss the importance of sleep for proper brain function and how insufficient or restless sleep affects one’s mood and performance.
• Students brainstorm to compile a list of healthy sleep habits.
• Students determine what they can do to improve their sleep and commit to applying new bedtime habits.
• Students illustrate pillowcase designs that symbolize the changes they will make in their bedtime routines in order to get better sleep.

Adaptations

• Explore the stages of sleep. What happens during each stage? Do the stages repeat during the night or occur only once? Why is each stage unique and important?
• Visualizing their bedtime routines will help younger students and those with special needs with brainstorming. Encourage student to image they are at home getting ready for bed. What time would it be? Where would they go? Do they put on pajamas? Do they brush their teeth? How can they fit in new habits to improve their sleep?
• Assessment: Share your pillowcase with the class! What new bedtime habits did you represent in your drawing? What symbols do you see on your classmates’ pillowcases? How will the habits benefit you and help you stay healthy?