Fall is here which means it’s almost time to set the clocks back one hour. While this means we all get an extra hour of sleep, it also means a little bit of a change in schedule for kids. Here are some tips on how to make the transition smoother for your children.
Gradual Adjustment
A few days before the clocks go back, gradually shift their bedtime so that it’s about 15 minutes earlier than usual. For example, if your child goes to bed at 8:30 p.m., put them to bed at 8:15 p.m., then 8:00 p.m., and so on until they’re going to bed closer to 7:30 p.m. Then on that Sunday night after you’ve turned the clocks back, your kids will be back to the usual 8:30 p.m. bedtime.
Stick With a Routine
When daylight savings time begins or ends, it’s essential to stick with a routine for meals, playtime, and bedtime to help their body clock adjust. As they move their bedtime a little earlier each night, you’ll also want to schedule dinnertime and playtime for a little earlier.
Turn Off the Screens
Turning off all electronic devices about one hour before bedtime can help kids prepare their bodies for rest. According to The National Sleep Foundation, this is especially important for sleep quality and increases levels of melatonin (the hormone that induces sleep) especially since kid’s brains are engaged all day.
At Harbor Child Care, we understand that whenever the clocks go forward or back that take time to adjust to the change. We are here to assist in any way we can. For more information, contact us at (516) 493-9830.
