Back to School Sleeping Habits
“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” –Ben Franklin
The time of year has come for parents to overcome the battle transitioning from summer sleep schedules to school sleep schedules. From elementary students to high school students, research has proven sleep is critical for a child’s development.
Here are five tips to help you get your child into a regular sleep schedule for the school year:
- Shift bedtimes gradually—it usually takes about a week to 10 days for a child to readjust to a routine sleep schedule
- Keep a consistent schedule—this includes providing flexibility for weekends
- Avoid caffeine—caffeine can stay in your system for as long as 8 to 10 hours and is a stimulant that impacts the ability to fall and stay asleep
- No screen time before bedtime—research found that bright screens from mobile devices, televisions, computers, and video game consoles can ruin a good night’s sleep
- Find ways to wind-down—relaxing helps your body and brain get sleep habits back on track—fun fact: a glass of warm milk is known to induce sleepiness because it contains tryptophan
