Restless Sleeping in Children

The University of Michigan Health System states that school-aged children require 9 to 12 hours of sleep every night. By knowing the types of restless sleeping in children, parents can begin to seek resolutions that help children sleep soundly.

Insomnia

• Healthcentral.com suggests that children living in stressful conditions during waking hours may experience a decline in the amount and quality of sleep during the night. Possible sources of stress include school, family life or bullying. The sources of stress may instead be health related, such as pain, constipation or even muscle cramps.

Autonomy Issues

• Children who avoid going to sleep or show difficulty in settling down before sleeping may be struggling with issues related to autonomy. The University of Michigan explains that autonomy refers to the amount of "control children have over their body and their environment." Children who lack control over their bedtime or nightly routine may exhibit restlessness before or during sleep times.

Restless Leg Syndrome

• Children suffering from restless leg syndrome (RLS) experience a tingling or crawling sensation in their legs that causes extreme discomfort during sleep. The only way to relieve discomfort from RLS is to move the legs, resulting in restlessness. Some children also experience a condition called periodic limb movement disorder, in which they kick constantly throughout the night, disrupting the natural sleep cycle.