Congratulations! You’ve almost survived an entire summer break with your children being out of school! Luckily, school will be starting up before you know it (which means more “me” time). Odds are, your children adopted some pretty unhealthy sleeping habits during their summer break: staying up late, eating snacks before bed, playing games on their phone—the list goes on.
Making the transition from summer break to a new school year can be tough, especially on their sleeping habits. Don’t worry- we’re here to give you some tips on how you can help your child adopt some new nighttime habits so they can be well rested for the new school year. Just follow these steps!
- Start by determining how many hours of sleep your child needs each night. This helpful guide from the National Sleep Foundation will tell you exactly how much sleep they should be getting based on age. Once you determine how many hours of sleep they need each night, set their bedtime so they have enough time to fall asleep (about 15-30 minutes) and meet those recommended hours before it’s time to wake up for school.
- Limit the use of cell phones, tablets, computers, and TV use in the evening. Artificial light—especially blue light—can drastically affect their sleep and be harmful to their vision (click here to read more about the harmful effects of blue lights). Restrict the use of these devices 30 minutes-1 hour before bedtime.
- Limit the amount of sweets before bedtime. Don’t let your child consume candy, soda or any other type of sugary substance prior to going to sleep. The sugar and caffeine will make it hard to fall asleep and get a good night’s rest.
- Practice their new nighttime routine before the school year begins. Giving your child a week to adjust to their new routines will help them adapt faster, giving them a wonderful start to the new school year!
By following these steps, your child will be on their way to a better night’s sleep! Additionally, kids need a quality mattress. If it’s time for your child’s mattress to be replaced, we can help you find the right fit for their needs and age!
If you have any further questions on helping your child get a better night’s sleep, contact us. We want everyone in your family to wake up and be happy!