Children who do not get enough sleep often have trouble paying attention, can become cranky, may fall asleep during the day, can have behavioural issues and can struggle to focus. If this sounds familiar, it could be that their sleeping hours might need a firm adjustment.

Kylie-Jane Shannon, owner of Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centres, informs parents on sufficient sleeping hours for children based on their age, and why this rest should not be taken lightly. “It’s time to take sleep seriously for our children and to make sure they get the best out of every experience when they’re awake,” says Kylie.

As we are sleeping, our brains move between two types of sleep. These are known as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. Together, the stages of REM sleep and non-REM sleep develop a sleep cycle.

Babies spend more time in REM sleep, with their sleep cycles much shorter than adults. Time spent in REM sleep decreases and sleep cycles get longer as children get older. By the time they attend school, one complete sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes, similar to adult sleep cycles.

“The first two non-REM stages are known as light sleep stages. One can wake up easily, and the heart beats and breathing rate slow down. Stage three non-REM is a deep sleep, which is usually harder to wake up from, and often a person is confused when woken. During this stage, the body releases well needed hormones for growth and development,” says Kylie.

“In the last stage of the REM sleep cycle, breathing becomes faster, eyes move faster underneath the eyelids, and heartbeats become faster.  The limbs do not move during this phase. REM sleep is vital for learning and memory,” Kylie adds.

Adequate rest promotes a more energetic and healthier child and supports the child’s physical, mental and emotional development. The amount of sleep needed for children varies, and experts recommend the following hours of sleep for children: Infants between 0-3 months need 14-17 hours. Infants between 4-12 months need 12-16 hours. Toddlers between 1-2 years need 11-14 hours, and pre-schoolers between 3-5 years need 10-13 hours.

“Creating a regular bed time routine can encourage and develop better sleeping habits,” says Kylie. “Turning off digital devices at least an hour before bedtime is important, and the removal of these devices from the room should also occur. Providing a 30 minute heads up, followed by a 10 minute heads up when getting them to bed, particularly for pre-schoolers, is important. Over a short period, they will soon get used to the routine,” she adds.

Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre continues to dedicate its expertise and delight to serving families within the town of Wallan, Victoria.

Check out their full range of services and current featured promotions at junglekids.com.au.Visit their Facebook page to view all their activities and special offerings. Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre is open seven (7) days a week and is open until 5:00pm on weekdays during the school holidays.

As part of their Play-all-day Single Admission, adults and babies attend free of charge. 12 months to 3 years old attend at $8.50 and 4 years old to 12 years old attend at $10.00.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA Group

Children do not like others to control their activities and want to have freedom in everything that they do. It is not an easy task because anything can turn into a struggle. This is usually a normal behaviour in children. However, there are times when certain children are particularly stubborn and this can become difficult for parents to deal with, especially in a public space such as a play centre. “Stubbornness can surface at any age and can continue into adulthood. It is important as a parent to learn how to deal with stubborn behaviour to limit the stress it puts on both child and parent,” says Kylie-Jane Shannon, the owner of Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre.

There are some ways a parent can deal with stubbornness. Parents are advised that they should not try to argue with a stubborn child who is always ready to argue back. Do not give them that opportunity. Instead, it is advised to listen to the child and hear what they have to say. Try to turn it into a conversation instead of an argument. If the parent shows that they are willing to listen, it will make the child more willing to listen as well. Never force a child to do anything they do not want to do. This will just make them more rebellious and they will be set on doing exactly what they’ve been told not to do.

“It is important to build a connection with the child. If, for example, the parent wants the child to stop behaving incorrectly on the swings, the parent could swing for a while with the child to show the correct behaviour and camaraderie and then, after a while, ask the child to show similar behaviour,” says Kylie. “Another thing parents can do is to offer their child options. This will allow the child to feel as if they have choices and will make them feel more in control,” adds Kylie.

“Parents should also put themselves in their children’s shoes and try to understand the situation from their side. If something was promised to the child and the promise is not being followed through for a specific reason, then the parents need to explain to their children exactly why this promise could not be kept,” suggests Kylie. Stubborn children find it difficult to accept an outright refusal, so parents should work on their negotiating skills and try and compromise. Parents should lead by example and always try to display a positive attitude. It is also important to develop some rules about behaviour and the consequences that can occur if those rules are not followed. It is important to be consistent with these rules but not rigid as this can also have a negative effect.

“It can be tough dealing with a stubborn child but at the same time it’s important to realise that every child is different. The above tips can be helpful in dealing with stubborn children, but, the most important thing a parent can do is to find ways that work for them as well as for their children,” says Kylie.

Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre continues to dedicate its expertise and delight to serving families within the town of Wallan, Victoria.

Check out their full range of services and current featured promotions at junglekids.com.au.Visit their Facebook page to view all their activities and special offerings. Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre is open seven (7) days a week and is open until 5:00pm on weekdays during the school holidays.

As part of their Play-all-day Single Admission, adults and babies attend free of charge. 12 months to 3 years old attend at $8.50 and 4 years old to 12 years old attend at $10.00.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News

Eating healthily for a child is always important no matter the situation; after play is no exception. When children play they constantly use their muscles and burn a lot of energy. A well-balanced healthy meal is always needed afterwards to restore their energy and feed their growing muscles. “The availability of unhealthy foods like some fast foods or processed foods has made it tough for parents to ensure that their children are eating a healthy diet. If we factor in our hectic schedules, it becomes even harder.” says Kylie-Jane Shannon, owner of Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre.

There are many different and creative ways for parents to ensure that their children are getting the correct nutrition. Adhering to a healthy diet supports children’s development. It helps them to maintain a healthy weight, stabilise their moods, sharpen their minds and could help them to avoid a variety of health issues. “There are specific types of foods that children should eat after being active so their energy and fluids are restored,” says Kylie.

After being active, children should eat some carbohydrates as they contain glycogen. Muscles need glycogen which can become depleted when children are active and therefore it needs to be replaced. Carbohydrates are also absorbed a lot quicker than fats and proteins, making them easier to digest. Some good food ideas that contain carbohydrates include; fruit salads, toasted sandwiches or a fruit smoothie. These foods are a quick and healthy snack after play. Studies have shown that milk is better for muscle recovery than sports drinks and children can pick their favourite flavour. Fruit is a good snack, especially pineapples, any type of berry, and bananas. “This is why it is important at indoor play centres to have proper food choices on the menu for active children.” says Kylie.

After a period of being active, children also need to have some protein. This is because protein contains amino acids, which help build muscles. Muscle proteins are broken down when children are active and need to be restored. Some good food ideas for protein include; eggs, yoghurt, chicken, and cheese. Eggs are one of the healthiest sources of protein and can be prepared in many different ways. Yogurt, especially plain Greek yogurt, is high in protein and when eaten with berries or granola, makes a perfect snack. Chicken is high in lean protein and when paired with carbohydrates, makes a great after play meal. Cheese is a good source of protein and also contains healthy fats. Finally, do not forget to keep children hydrated with water, fruit smoothies or milk after active play. Try some of these snack ideas next time your children need a boost after a hectic day of playing.

Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre continues to dedicate its expertise and delight to serving families within the town of Wallan, Victoria.

Check out their full range of services and current featured promotions at junglekids.com.au.Visit their Facebook page to view all their activities and special offerings. Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre is open seven (7) days a week and is open until 5:00pm on weekdays during the school holidays.

As part of their Play-all-day Single Admission, adults and babies attend free of charge. 12 months to 3 years old attend at $8.50 and 4 years old to 12 years old attend at $10.00.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News

For many years, themed play centres have taken the concept and benefits of play, and expanded on them. Both traditional and themed play centres provide for and build healthy physical and cognitive strength. However, themed play centres assist in building children’s imagination, igniting creativity, and inspiring ingenious problem-solving skills.

Kylie-Jane Shannon, Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre owner, discusses the benefits of themed play centres, and how they can inspire children’s creative development.

“Children are constantly using their imagination, however, often they require the added push to turn their dreams into motion,” says Kylie. “This is where themed indoor play centres come into their own. Colourful and characterised settings and decor create an immersive experience, transporting children to another world,” Kylie adds.

There are many benefits of visiting a themed indoor play centre. Both parents and children can see the opportunities for fun and excitement, improving children’s’ health via interactive play experiences, inviting children into colourful themed spaces and providing businesses with a competitive edge. “The addition of a themed area or event within an indoor play centre creates undeniable excitement, and attendance,” says Kylie.

“As an example, Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre has a Safari themed party option among others. A themed safari event can arouse excitement for children and encourage their imaginative play,” Kylie adds. Theming the space with wildlife elements through colourful, life-sized and sound-enhancing pieces can become an intuitive method to teach children about wildlife. “For parents in particular, they can engage and interact in themed events, contributing to the fun levels, while instilling the faith and trust of an indoor play centre as an ideal and suitable environment for both entertainment and education,” says Kylie.

Imaginative play is important for children’s physical and mental health. Children learn to understand how their bodies operate, build friendships, and explore through creative imagining. Indoor play centres provide a holistic experience through physical challenges like climbing, swinging and jumping. “They also enable children to socialise with peers through teamwork and allow shared moments in game creation and imagination building through story telling,” says Kylie.

“The concept of colourful themed spaces has always posed a great level of artistry in attracting children to spaces with themed set pieces,” says Kylie. “Children develop an understanding of certain colours, what they evoke, and how they contribute to the overall composition of a particular theme,” adds Kylie.

Themed indoor play centres provide key business growth through an advantageous competitive edge. “While generic play centres serve to enable children to have fun, themed play centres enable children to learn through play, accommodating every child’s taste and preference,” says Kylie. This helps to promote the business brand and centre it as the premium choice of play centre to visit.

Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre continues to dedicate its expertise and delight to serving families within the town of Wallan, Victoria.

Check out their full range of services and current featured promotions at junglekids.com.au.Visit their Facebook page to view all their activities and special offerings. Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre is open seven (7) days a week and is open until 5:00pm on weekdays during the school holidays.

As part of their Play-all-day Single Admission, adults and babies attend free of charge. 12 months to 3 years old attend at $8.50 and 4 years old to 12 years old attend at $10.00.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News