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As a parent with a preschooler, you may be dreading Daylight Saving Time. While losing an hour seems like a small change, research has shown that this shift can disrupt sleep cycles for a week or even longer. It takes a bit more time, effort, and planning to help our preschoolers adjust their internal clocks. Try these helpful tips to prepare for the hour shift to come.
Time
In the week leading up to time change, gradually move your child’s bedtime backwards by 15 minutes each night. If your preschooler still takes a nap, do the same thing with their naptime. This way, your child can ease into that lost hour instead of it all happening at once.
Exercise
Exercising daily helps improve sleep and can make time change easier. It is also important to get plenty of sunshine. So, as the weather allows, move the activity outdoors. Healthy eating and exercising habits help the body function better overall.
Mood
The contrast between exercising in the daylight and winding down at nighttime will help your child get back into a normal sleep pattern. Turning lights on and off at appropriate times and getting light-blocking blinds can help your preschooler make the adjustments needed. Sometimes the sun is still out in the spring and summer as parents try to put their younger children to bed. Be sure to turn off technology like TV, iPads, or video games 30-60 minutes before bed.
Routines
When Daylight Saving Time begins, it is important to stick to your preschooler’s normal bedtime routine. Whether you give your child a bath, read a book, or snuggle together, bedtime routines help your child’s mind prepare for sleep. Do not skip out on normal bedtime routines or try anything new or stimulating when the goal is to get your preschooler to sleep.
Rhythm
Losing that hour of sleep is not as easy as it seems, even if you have tried every time-changing tip in the book! Try to set realistic expectations and exercise patience with your preschooler. Be consistent, and everyone should be sleeping normally again soon!
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Want to learn more about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of New Territory located in Sugar Land, Texas? Our mission is to provide secure, nurturing, and educational environments for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. For more information, give us a call or stop by for a tour! We’d love to get to know you and your family.