Schools

How To Tips on Getting Kids Back on a School Sleep Schedule

School starts this week in Libertyville. Are your children ready?

Written by Editor Dawn Aulet.

GO TO BED! We have probably all said it just that loudly. The children are in bed, but no one is sleeping. The light have been out for what seems like forever. But still you hear laughing and giggling from the next room. And school starts in less than a week. So, how do you get kids to adjust from the summer schedule to one that will get them out of bed and on the bus on time?
Patch researched the question and here is what we came up with.

  1. Set a firm bedtime and stick to it. Many parents I know will begin shaving time off the bedtime about a week out. If your kids have had the luxury of staying up past 10 p.m. during the summer and you want them to adjust to an 8:45 p.m. lights out, you can do it in 15 minute increments. But, when they hit 8:45 p.m., don't waiver. This story suggests parents should shift wake up time and bedtime with automatically follow. 
  2. Try to limit the television or electronics before bed and especially limit the watching in their bedroom, where it can interrupt sleep patterns.
  3. Make sure the room is comfortable. Keep the tempurature comfortable and have extra blankets on hand. The environment surrounding the room should be quiet as well. 
  4. Try exercising after dinner. This is even better if you can do it as a family.
  5. Use light. Dim the lights in the evening and if you are aiming to wake up earlier, open the shades as soon as you wake to encourage the body to wake up.

More great tips on good bedtime habits can be found here.



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