Setting a Good Sleep Routine it an Important Step in Getting Ready for School

During the long days of Summer, it isn't unusual for families to be a little more flexible with bedtimes. Evenings with daylight give families more hours to do things outdoors. Besides it is sometimes difficult to put your child down to sleep when it is still light outside. 

Now that the start of school is approaching it is time to start thinking about setting up your child's sleep routine. According to the Sleep Foundation " a regular sleep schedule helps the body know when it’s time to sleep and wake up. A sleep schedule helps prevent fatigue, exhaustion, and daytime drowsiness." 
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Sleep is extremely important to how your child learns, grows, and even behaves. Children who get enough sleep regularly do better in school and have fewer behavior issues. A regular routine at bedtime helps promote a better night's sleep and can also make bedtime easier for you and your child.  Here are some simple tips:

• Turn off screens at least 30 minutes before you want your child to go to sleep
• Take a bath/ or wash face, hands, etc
• Brush teeth.
• Go to the bathroom. 
• Read or tell stories., Keep things low-key. Use quieter voices. Set the tone.Even with older kids, who enjoy reading on their own, take a few minutes to just check in with them and listen to them tell you about their day.

​Go to sleep!


The process of adjusting a sleep schedule should be gradual. In the weeks leading up to going back to school, have your child wake up 15 minutes earlier and go to sleep 15 minutes earlier than they have been during their break. Continue to adjust their bed and wake times in 15-minute increments every few days until your child is sleeping and waking at the desired times for school. By the first day back to school, they should be adjusted to the new sleep schedule and ready to go.


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