By: Liane Mamo, Certified Child Sleep Consultant (Good Night Sleep Site Ottawa)
It’s that time of the year again parents – back to school! You’re either looking at your littles in disbelief that they are starting school, or the school year can’t come soon enough! Either way, back to school can be tough on your child when it comes to being and feeling rested those first few weeks or months. Whether starting JK or any grade, look to implement these sleep tips to keep your child rested going into school and beyond…
Plan for It. This sleep tip is important for your kinder-aged child who still naps every day. The transition to no-naps can be hard one and pile on the excitement of school it can be pretty exhausting! My recommendation is to phase out naps a few weeks before starts or only allow a few naps during the week. Making the move to no naps ahead of the school start will help them be a little more adjusted to the new schedule.
Move Bedtime. Likely over the summer months bedtime has creeped a little later. It’s a good idea to gradually start introducing an earlier bedtime for your child before school starts and throughout September. The earlier bedtime will allow your child to be well-rested before the bell rings and will help with them adjust to full-days again.
Bring Back Routine. Just like bedtime, routine has probably been out the window over the summer months. Start reeling it back in and encourage your child (big or small) to get back into a calming, relaxing bedtime routine. Pick up some new bedtime books, introduce bedtime colouring or journaling, encourage your child to slow things down and ease into sleep better.
Tech-free. We know blue light from tech screens slows down your body’s natural sleep hormones, making it harder to fall asleep. Back to school may bring back some tech into the bedroom or perhaps over the summer this habit has been happening. Work towards a screen-free room for a better nights’ sleep now and during the school year.
Liane Mamo is certified infant and toddler sleep consultant with Good Night Sleep Site Ottawa and mom to a superhero-obsessed 4-year-old. Liane is committed to providing families with emotional and educational support to help their baby or child with their sleep needs. Find Liane at her website or on Facebook and Twitter for sleep tips, free sleep Q & A’s, articles and more.
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