Back to School 101: Back to Sleep

As parents and their children enjoy their last month of summer, school is looming right around the corner. Now is the time to get back into a school sleeping schedule, after having such a lax sleeping schedule over the summer months.  According to the Federal Citizen Information Center, children between the ages of 6 and 9 require at least 10 hours of sleep per night and older children require at least 9 hours.

To get your child in the school sleeping schedule:

• Create a regular bed time and make sure you and your child stick to it.
• Make sure your child avoids eating a heavy meal before their bed time.
• Make sure your child avoids caffeine at least 6 hours before their bed time.
• Allow for play and relaxation time before their bed time.
• Create a bed time routine that is relaxing for your child, instead of stressful.