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Getting Kids’ Sleep Back on Track for School

Relaxed bedtime routines and inconsistent sleep schedules during the summer can make it difficult to get children back on track when the new school year begins. Getting enough sleep contributes to a child’s positive school performance, good behavior and happiness.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends school-age children and teenagers get between 8 and 11 hours of sleep each night.

David Seiden, M.D. [1], medical director of Baptist Sleep Center [2] at Pembroke Pines, recommends parents make a gradual shift back to regular bedtimes and wake-up times before the start of the new school year. Making them go to sleep 20 to 30 minutes earlier, then waking them up by the same amount of time, will help reach the goals of getting enough sleep and being able to wake up in time for school.

Promoting Good Sleep Habits

Adhering to proper sleep hygiene is key to overcoming sleep challenges associated with settling in to the back to school routine. Dr. Seiden’s other healthy sleep recommendations for children and teens include:

Parents can follow these healthy sleep guidelines, too, to help set a good example for children and reinforce the importance of adequate and healthy sleep for a successful school year.