R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate.) Sleep ProgramEvery night thousands of children in southeast Michigan go to bed without basic essentials such as blankets, pillows and a toothbrush. Sweet Dreamzzz is changing that. The R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate.) Sleep Program , developed by Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc., Dr. Monica Tracey and the National Health, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute provides sleep education and bedtime essentials to elementary school children. Sleep has a sustainable impact on children's success in learning. The R.E.M. Sleep Program teaches children how to prepare for a good night's sleep through healthy eating, activities and routines with the belief that well-rested children are better prepared for classroom learning. Elementary schools selected for the program must have 75 percent or more of the student body eligible to receive free lunches.
On the program day, Sweet Dreamzzz volunteers escort groups of children to classrooms for education on the importance of healthy sleep habits. Volunteer "Sleeper Teachers" educate the children through songs, games and activities how to prepare for bedtime each evening. There are 10 Sleep Tips that are taught to the children in the program. Before returning to their classrooms, the children are given a sleep kit containing a sleeping bag, nightshirt, socks, activity book and crayons, toothbrush, toothpaste, stuffed animal and other bedtime items.
To date, over 31,000 children have benefited from Sweet Dreamzzz and the R.E.M. Sleep Program.Enrichment R.E.M. Sleep ProgramOur R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate) Sleep Program is brought into schools to educate children on how sleep affects them physically, socially, psychologically and academically. We also instill the importance of being ready to learn, excel, graduate and contribute. The forty-five minute program is educational, fun and a basic need that plants a seed as to the importance of sleep in every aspect of their lives, especially in preparation for classroom learning. Sleep and sleep education is as crucial to survival as nutrition and exercise, only easier!
Our focus has been schools with at-risk populations. Through our work with universities, the National Health, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and the National Sleep Foundation, it is apparent that the same principles apply to all school children, regardless of their economic situation. Parents, educators, and sleep experts from all areas inform us that all children need our program. Lack of sleep is being linked to childhood obesity, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, heart disease and countless health issues. Ample sleep is the root to many positive health habits.
We are expanding our program to make our services available to all students in the metro Detroit area. Sweet Dreamzzz's educational program will serve two purposes:
1. Continue our mission to provide important sleep education to students.
2. Funds generated from enrichment programs allow us to educate at-risk populations, which in turn builds community awareness and the opportunity to serve.
We customize our presentation based on the need of each school. If you would like more information about this enrichment program and how it can educate the students in your school, please email us or call us: sweetdreamzzzdet@ameritech.net or 248-478-3242. Thank you for your consideration.
Early Childhood and Parent ProgramsThe Sweet Dreamzzz Early Childhood Sleep Education Program will be launched in the Fall of 2011. It is an in-school sleep education program for parents, preschoolers and preschool teachers that includes a sleep kit and enrichment activities. This program is offered free of charge to low-income families when funding allows.
The Parent Sleep Education Workshop empowers parents of school age children with the information and take-home tools (bedtime charts with stickers and nighttime routine magnets) necessary to get their children a good night's sleep. This is a fee based program, please contact the office for more information, 248-478-3242.
Our Programs Flyer
|
Program Needs and Volunteers
Our Programs FlyerCommunity organizations, churches, corporations, girl scouts and boy scouts, have helped Sweet Dreamzzz by organizing collections of items or cash donations for the sleep kits. Many schools have hosted blue jean days, hat days or pajamas days with a $1 donation going to Sweet Dreamzzz. Additional ways to raise money may be car washes, dances, coin drives, and other creative ideas. Groups can organize a collection of the following items that we accept: Beanie Babies, white tube socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, crayons and children's reading books. Our Community Relations person can come and speak to your group about our current needs and what we do. Just call the office at 248-478-3242 or email sweetdreamzzzdet@ameritech.net to arrange an appointment.
Our organization is always looking for additional "Sleeper Teachers" for The Sleep Programs. This position requires a two-hour training session and a commitment of teaching at least twice a year. The program has been designed for two "Sleeper Teachers" to educate thirty students every hour for up to five hours on program day. This is a wonderful hands-on, enriching, relationship building experience for those who have participated. Please consider this rewarding opportunity.
If interested please call the Sweet Dreamzzz Director of Sleep
Programs at 248-478-3242 or email sweetdreamzzzdet@ameritech.net. Thank you for your consideration.
Program Collection Flyer
The Sweet Dreamzzz Video:
This will get replaced by the Flash movie.
Upcoming Program Dates:
September 30, 2011
- Marcus Garvey Academy R.E.M. Sleep Program
October 27, 2011
- Mark Twain Elementary School R.E.M. Sleep Program
November 16, 2011
- Detroit Enterprise Academy R.E.M. Sleep Program
|
