From the crankiness and tantrums of the "terrible twos" to the recurrent ear infections and headaches young children often experience, to the listlessness and low academic performance of teenagers, many childhood maladies can be traced to a simple but often overlooked cause: the lack of adequate sleep. In this proactive handbook for parents, William Wilkoff, M.D., explains how to recognize the signs of fatigue in a child, determine how much sleep a child really needs, and establish a routine that satisfies a child's needs at every age and stage of development. Wilkoff identifies the key contributing factors to a child's fatigue -- including television, too many extra-curricular activities, a parent's erratic schedule, and even the electric lighting in a home -- and prescribes remedies that range from adding siestas and "video naps" to the daily routine to maintaining strict bedtimes for kids on weekdays and weekends alike. Combining prescriptive advice with the "early to bed, early to rise" philosophy, The Sleep Solution is a complete plan to prevent sleep problems (and the more general health issues that accompany them) from developing in the first place, ensuring that both parents and kids get the rest they need.