Time to spring forward... How to help kids adjust to the time change
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
To help your child adjust, Dr. Constantin offers these tips to ease the transition and keep sleep deprivation to a minimum.
1) You can gradually adjust your child’s bedtime prior to Sunday’s time change, by moving your child’s bedtime forward 15 minutes each night. For example, on Thursday night, put your child to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual, do the same on Friday and Saturday. Therefore by Sunday night, your child is right back on schedule.
2) Parents can simply decide to maintain their child’s regular sleep, wake and nap times. Keep in mind it could take your children a few days to adjust to the time change. As a result, they may be crankier than usual.
No matter which approach you take, Dr. Constantin says your child will adjust to the time change within a few days to a week. And remember, the tips above apply to mum and dad too! Parents need a good night’s rest just as much as their kids.
For more information please contact:
Lisa Dutton
Manager
Public Relations and Communications
The Montreal Children’s Hospital
514-412-4307