Helping Your Kids Adjust to Daylight Savings Time

Twice a year, parents and caregivers must deal with a big schedule change for their little ones. We are about to “Fall Back” one hour as part of Daylight Saving time. This can be a major adjustment for kids and can sometimes come as a big shock to their sleep and playtime. However, it doesn’t have to be.

 

We have gathered a few tips to help you get kids on the correct time, while not surprising them with the change all at once.

1. Take baby steps when it comes to sleep.

If your kid’s bedtime is 8:00 pm, don’t expect them to just fall asleep once the time changes. The best way is to ease them into the change. Start a few days out and adjust their bedtime in 15-minute increments, so when the clock falls back, they can be better prepared to sleep.

Also, stick with a routine. Once the clock falls back an hour, make sure you are sticking to a bedtime or naptime routine. Don’t make an adjustment to try and figure out the time change. Make sure everything stays the same so kids can get used to the new time. (https://www.parents.com/kids/sleep/tips/daylight-saving-time/ )

2. When it comes to this time of year, it’s important to adjust lighting and spend more time in natural light.

This may not seem like much, but it can help change your child’s mood in those darker winter months. If you can spend an hour in the daylight during the winter, it will go a long way to making your child feel better about the time change because they are still spending time outside.

3. Be sympathetic to your child.

Some kids may not even notice the time and light changes, while others may lash out. Whatever happens, make sure you are staying calm and trying to find solutions to help your child sleep better and feel better during the dark winter months. ( https://tinybeans.com/time-change-daylight-savings-for-parents/slide/3 )