Cozy vibes, sleepovers, sleeping in, and endless daylight. This must be summer vacation!
But every party must come to an end including those late summer nights. It’s (almost) time for school again, and your children need to start waking up early. However, after weeks of relaxed schedules, their systems likely aren't aligned with the early bird life anymore. It’s smart to get them back into the right rhythm before school officially starts! But how do you go about it?
Baby Steps
You can choose to tackle the transition in small increments. A child rarely decides to go to bed earlier on their own after several late nights. By moving bedtime up slightly each night, your child will hardly notice the change. This will have you back to the desired bedtime in no time. It is also important to wake your child up a little earlier each morning. This makes the leap to an early school morning much smaller and less difficult!
What makes a good routine?
Just like adults, children benefit greatly from routine. When you maintain the same sequence every evening washing up, brushing teeth, reading a story, etc. A child knows exactly what to expect. This makes it clear that it’s time for sleep, providing the peace and regularity that contributes to a truly restorative night's rest.
Ensure a dark environment
During the summer months, it stays light much longer outside. For children, it can feel strange to go to sleep while the sun is still out and other kids might still be playing nearby. Therefore, make sure the bedroom is dark. You can achieve this with blackout curtains, for example. This helps a child fall asleep sooner and more easily and helps them stay asleep throughout the night.
The "Cold Turkey" approach
Is the baby steps method not for you? You can also choose to flip the switch all at once. You do this by strictly enforcing the regular school-year bedtime again without gradual steps. Even with this method, it is advised to give a child at least two days to adjust to the normal schedule before the first school bell rings. Additionally, the right sleep equipment the correct pillow, duvet, or bedding is vital. If a child is too warm or too cold, it can lead to disrupted sleep. After all, the same goes for adults!
Questions? We are happy to provide you with personal advice. Or feel free to take a look at our website for more inspiration.