While some young children make the transition without a hitch, most parents find that, whether falling back or springing ahead, the time change messes with their child's sleep schedule. This leaves parents to deal with cranky and tired kids. Below are some tips to hopefully help you avoid this:
Or this:
Take Small Steps Ahead of Time
In this approach, you adjust your child's bedtime by moving it 15 minutes later every couple of days. 2017 bedtime example: If your child's normal bedtime is 8 pm, start by moving it to 8:15 on Oct. 29 and 30, then 8:30 on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, then 8:45 on Nov. 2 and 3, then 9 pm on Nov. 4. The on Nov. 5th when the time changes has occurred your child's bedtime will be back to 8 pm.
Start Changing Before and Finish After
This approach also adjusts your child's bedtime by moving it 15 minutes later every few days. However, in this approach you start in a few days before the time change and finish it after the change has happened. 2017 bedtime example: If your child's normal bedtime is 8 pm, start by moving it to 8:15 on Nov. 1 and 2, then 8:30 on Nov. 3 and 4. On Nov. 5 and 6 when the time change has happened your child's bedtime will be 7:45. Bedtime will be back to it's usual 8 pm by Nov. 7th.
The goal of both of these approaches is to make the change to your child's bedtime a gradual shift. Young children are less capable of handling sleep deprivation than adults and need more sleep. Toddlers and Preschoolers need between 12-14 hours of sleep a day, including naps.
Remember all children are different. Some children won't even notice the time change. Other children will need time to adjust. Hopefully these approaches can help ease any disruption to your child's schedule.
Take Small Steps Ahead of Time
In this approach, you adjust your child's bedtime by moving it 15 minutes later every couple of days. 2017 bedtime example: If your child's normal bedtime is 8 pm, start by moving it to 8:15 on Oct. 29 and 30, then 8:30 on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, then 8:45 on Nov. 2 and 3, then 9 pm on Nov. 4. The on Nov. 5th when the time changes has occurred your child's bedtime will be back to 8 pm.
Start Changing Before and Finish After
This approach also adjusts your child's bedtime by moving it 15 minutes later every few days. However, in this approach you start in a few days before the time change and finish it after the change has happened. 2017 bedtime example: If your child's normal bedtime is 8 pm, start by moving it to 8:15 on Nov. 1 and 2, then 8:30 on Nov. 3 and 4. On Nov. 5 and 6 when the time change has happened your child's bedtime will be 7:45. Bedtime will be back to it's usual 8 pm by Nov. 7th.
The goal of both of these approaches is to make the change to your child's bedtime a gradual shift. Young children are less capable of handling sleep deprivation than adults and need more sleep. Toddlers and Preschoolers need between 12-14 hours of sleep a day, including naps.
Remember all children are different. Some children won't even notice the time change. Other children will need time to adjust. Hopefully these approaches can help ease any disruption to your child's schedule.
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