It is August, which for many children across the nation it means that school is just around the corner. While we as parents try to pack in as much end of the summer fun as possible. We also need to make sure that we are getting our kids and ourselves ready for school to start. Regardless of whether you excited about your little ones (no matter how old they are) heading back into their routine, or you are rather anxious over the first day, these tips are going to help make that first day easier for everyone.
Remember when it comes to children, big or small, they are able to adjust better when they have a schedule or routine to keep. For you the parent that means reinstituting the earlier bedtime. Depending on the age of your children you want to make sure that they are going to bed early enough that they are going to get the amount of sleep they need to make it through the school day. Each age group needs a certain amount of sleep.
|
Age 
|
Sleep Needed |
Recommended Bedtimes |
| 3- 6 years old | 10-12 hours a day | Typically go to bed between 7 and 9 p.m. and wake up around 6 and 8 a.m., just as they did when they were younger. At 3, most children are still napping while at 5, most are not. |
| 7-12 years old | 10-11 hours a day (this can vary from 9 to 12 hours a day, with the average being 9 hours.) | When children reach these ages they are more involved in social, family and school activities. This means that bedtimes gradually become later. Most 12-years-olds go to bed at about 9 p.m. There is still a wide range of bedtimes, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., |
| 12 – 18 year olds | 8 – 9 hours a day (social pressure can work against a teen getting the amount of sleep they truly need.) | Sleep needs remain just as vital to health and well-being for teenagers as when they were younger. It turns out that many teenagers actually need more sleep than in previous years. |
How much sleep do school-age children need, and how should parents adjust bedtimes before school starts?
Children ages 3 to 6 need 10 to 12 hours and typically sleep best with a 7 to 9 p.m. bedtime. Ages 7 to 12 need 10 to 11 hours, with bedtimes ranging from around 8 to 9 p.m. Teenagers need 8 to 9 hours, though social pressure often works against that. Reinstituting earlier bedtimes a week or two before school resumes makes the first-day adjustment much smoother for everyone.
What’s the most effective way to help kids get organized before the school year starts?
Start with the basics: designate one spot for school shoes so mornings don’t spiral into a search, set out the next day’s clothes and packed backpack the evening before, and involve children in decluttering and organizing their own space. The earlier kids practice organization as a daily routine rather than a last-minute reaction to chaos, the more naturally it becomes a habit they carry forward.
What should parents do the night before school starts to set up a calmer morning?
Pack backpacks and gather all needed materials the evening before, prepare snacks or lunchbox components so they are ready to grab, and run through a quick checklist with your children so nothing is forgotten. When decisions are made the night before, mornings run on autopilot rather than dissolving into last-minute stress — and everyone leaves the house in a better mood.
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