Back to School

It is almost that time to trade in those late summer nights for consistent and age appropriate bedtimes. If you are already a parent to a school-aged child, then you know just how exhausted they are at the end of each school day. If you have a child who will be attending for the very first time; you will soon realize just how sleepy this new transition will make your child.

As a Kindergarten educator, I commonly hear from parents just how cranky, emotional and genuinely fatigued their children are after school, especially within the first few weeks. There is no question that the amount of stimulation that your children will experience during the day is going to tire them out physically, mentally and emotionally. This is why it is important for your child to get an adequate amount of sleep each night.

Here are my Back to School Basics, to ensure your new or returning student is off to a great start!

Sleep Requirements:

Age Appropriate Bedtime:

When adjusting your child’s bedtime, it is important to do it incrementally. Begin to move bedtime earlier by 15 minutes and start waking your child up 15 minutes earlier. Continue to shift bedtime and wake up in 15 minute increments, every three days until you reach the desired wake up and bedtime. An age appropriate bedtime is between 7:00pm-8:00pm. *Younger children may be subject to an earlier bedtime if they are no longer napping at school.

Extra Sleep Tips:

• Ensure that you are implementing a consistent bedtime routine that does not exceed 45 minutes.
• No devices at least one hour before bedtime.
• Healthy bedtime snacks such as cereal, fruit, veggies, dairy products.
• Employ an earlier bedtime if needed!

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