Christine Hernandez
Early childhood educator, writer, and mother. Your friendly neighborhood guide to all things parenting.
As we enter back-to-school season, parents of young children may be working on developing routines to help make busy school mornings a bit easier. Getting children back into a school-year routine can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth and exciting transition for both parents and kids.
We're breaking down our top tips for helping parents of toddlers, preschoolers, and young children get back into the swing of a back-to-school schedule.
Get back on a sleep schedule
During the summer, we tend to keep our kids up later—it stays lighter longer, we are out having fun, and routines slip a bit. If you can start pulling bedtime back a few weeks before school starts, it will make things easier for everyone. Here are five tips to help get sleep back on track for back-to-school season:
-
Gradual transition: Start the transition back to the school sleep schedule gradually. If your child's bedtime has shifted during the summer, move it back by 15 minutes each night until you reach the desired bedtime. This approach will help their bodies adjust more smoothly without sudden disruptions.
-
Establish a consistent bedtime routine: A consistent bedtime routine signals to your child that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Create a calming routine, including reading a book, taking a warm bath, and cuddling. Keep the sequence of activities consistent each night to reinforce the sleep cue.
-
Limit screen time before bed: Reduce or eliminate screen time at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light emitted by electronic devices can disrupt your child's sleep-wake cycle. Encourage calming activities, such as listening to soft music or engaging in quiet play.
-
Create a sleep-friendly environment: Ensure your child's sleep environment is conducive to restful sleep. Make the room comfortable, cool, and dimly lit. Consider using blackout curtains to block out any external light that might interfere with their sleep.
-
Be patient and understanding: It may take time for your child to adjust to the new sleep schedule, so be patient and understanding during this period. If your child wakes up during the night, provide comfort and reassurance without stimulating activities. Consistency is key, and eventually, their sleep patterns will stabilize.
Bonus Tip: Stick to the schedule on weekends, too: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule during the weekends can also help reinforce your child's internal sleep-wake cycle. Avoiding late nights and sleeping in significantly will make it easier for your child to transition back into the weekday routine.
Develop a morning routine
Make mornings less stressful by preparing as much as possible the night before. Lay out your child's clothes for the next day, pack their school bag, and ensure that all necessary items, like lunch or snacks, are ready to go.
Involve your child in creating a visual morning chart that outlines the morning routine with simple pictures or icons. Include tasks such as waking up, getting dressed, brushing teeth, having breakfast, and packing their bag. Let your child check off each item as they complete it, providing them with a sense of accomplishment and motivation to move through the routine.
Toddlers and preschoolers may need extra time to adjust to the school morning routine. Allow a buffer of extra time for transitions between activities, especially in the initial days. This will help reduce stress and ensure a more relaxed start to the day.
Consider prepping breakfast ahead of time
Preparing breakfast in advance is a smart strategy to ensure that your child starts the day with a nutritious meal that isn't a huge effort on your part. One excellent option is to make overnight oats. Simply combine rolled oats with milk or yogurt, add toppings like fruits, nuts, or honey, and refrigerate the mixture overnight. In the morning, the oats will be soft and ready to eat, providing a hearty and fiber-rich breakfast that will help keep your child energized throughout the day.
Another time-saving idea is to pre-cut fruits and store them in sealed containers in the fridge. Sliced apples, oranges, or berries can be readily available for a quick and healthy breakfast. You can also prepare ready-to-go smoothie packs by combining your child's favorite fruits and leafy greens in freezer bags. In the morning, you'll need to blend the contents with some liquid, like milk or juice, for a refreshing and nutrient-packed smoothie.
Practice makes perfect
Doing a "dry run" of your morning routine can be a game-changer for busy parents trying to get their children and themselves ready for school. A day or two before the school year begins, wake up at the usual school morning time and go through the entire routine as if it were a school day. This practice run will give you a realistic understanding of how long it takes to get your child out of bed, dressed, fed, and packed for school.
By identifying potential time-consuming tasks or areas that need improvement, you can make necessary adjustments to ensure a smoother and less stressful start to the school day. Plus, this "dry run" also helps your child get back into the routine and can help ease any first-day-of-school jitters. With this proactive approach, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the school mornings confidently and enjoy a stress-free beginning to the new school year.
