Returning to school can be challenging for everyone. Families need to adjust to new schedules, activities, and define new routines. Helping your child find their routine of going to bed earlier, choosing their clothes and ensuring everything is in their backpack can get things off to a great start.
Here are a few tips to get you through the first 72 hours.
- Don’t wait too long to set up your back to school routine
- Decide on when they need to get up. Children need between 9-10 hours of sleep each night, 8 hours is the absolute minimum. Work your way back. if your child needs to be ready for school at 7:30am and needs 1.5 hours to get ready then you know your child must be up at 6am. 8-10 sleep, children need to begin getting ready for bed at 7:30pm
- Getting a good sleep. Summer often results in later bedtimes. A couple of weeks before the first day of school, have your children begin going to bed earlier each night until they are used to their earlier bed time
- Create a habit and routine of the same pattern every night. A routine might be choosing clothing for the next day and making a lunch, having a bath or shower, brushing and flossing teeth and getting into PJ’s
If you have any tips or tricks that have helped you or your family be sure to leave them in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
For more thoughts on sleep visit the resources section on the PLAY website or Grey Bruce Health Unit – Dental Health, Active Living/ Physical Activity, Healthy Lunches
