Tips to maintain a bedtime routine for kids
Proper diet, exercise and proper rest are important parts of our routine life. Any compromise there will impact other aspects as well, whether kids or adults. So, structured routines in regular life or holidays help parents regulate the emotional and functional changes their children undergo as they develop. Routines help children know what to expect as they go through these changes.so follow tips to maintain a bedtime routine for kids.
So today, we will share some tips to maintain bedtime routines for our kids –
Make sleep a family priority –
Set regular go-to-bed and wake-up times for the entire family and be sure to follow them even on weekends. Kids follow the elders, so you need to set the example first.
Set a specific time and stick to it –
Your child’s body clock will adjust much more quickly to the routine if the routine follows a natural and consistent pattern. There can be some deviations, but still try to stick to your routine especially eating and sleeping. Also help your kids to arrange time for all their activities, so that they don’t miss any.
The amount of sleep recommended for children varies with age. Toddlers typically sleep 11 to 14 hours in a 24-hour period; pre-schoolers 10 to 13 hours; school-age kids and preteens 9 to 12 hours per night; and teens 8 to 10 hours.
If you are out, then consider asking the host well in advance if there might be a way to shift the schedule to be more family-friendly. Otherwise, simply make another plan that better suits your family’s needs.
Give signals –
Just before bedtime, give your child advance notice that the day is winding down. Your child may be too young to judge time yet, so saying something like “five more minutes” is not likely to be understood. Instead, teach your child by association. Begin the first part of your routine, like running the bath water, putting the toys away, or other routine work to signal winding up.
