I've partnered with Sealy to bring you these back to school tips.
Back-to-school season isn't just for the big kids. My little guy is just starting his 2nd year of Preschool and it's definitely been a challenging transition from Summer. This year, we're not only getting back into the Preschool routine, but I'm also juggling being a mom to two little ones and working my daughter into the daily getting-ready-for-school routine. I know I'm not alone here. It takes a lot of effort and planning to transition from a fun summer with less restrictions to school time when the day thrives on routines and consistency. Of course routines help little ones, but they can drastically reduce my stress level too!
Sealy surveyed over 1,000 parents about sleep habits leading into the back to school season, then teamed up with the University of North Carolina School of Medicine to help families across the nation establish a back to school sleep schedule. Since we're right in the middle of this transition ourselves, I thought I would share 5 tips that have helped my family get back into the Preschool routine.
1. Re-establish bedtime routines [and naps!]
We all know that sleep is essential for a person's health and well being, and I've never been so sure of that as I am now with a 3 year old and a 3 month old! While I have coffee to help deal with the sleepless nights of being a new mom, my son does not. That's why it's so important that with back to school comes a regular bedtime routine, including getting plenty of quality sleep.
Our routine is simple and Wubba really thrives with it. After dinner, we have bath time, brush teeth, read a story, then turn off the lights. When we stick to that established routine, he knows exactly what comes next and there are fewer interruptions and objections. It also makes it easy to start an early bedtime as school nears, since we just move the whole routine up a bit. Experts recommend that you start your school bedtime routine a week or two before school actually starts.
The same goes with naps. Although there are days in the Summer when my little guy can skip nap time, but that's pretty much impossible when he goes back to preschool. All of those learning activities and playground time wears him out! A good nap time routine can make the afternoon [and night time] go much more smoothly. Just be sure that you don't let your child nap too late in the day. If my little guy isn't asleep by 2 to 2:30 PM, then I try to just hold him off until bedtime.
One of the most important components of sleep is comfort - you can't sleep well if you aren't comfortable, which is why your mattress makes a big impact on the quality of your sleep. Sealy believes that no matter your age, finding a bed that gives you outstanding back support, that’s durable and has added comfort, is important in getting quality sleep every night.
2. Limit screen time before bed
Speaking of bed time, one of the tips from the UNC School of Medicine is to make sure screen time is limited... especially in the hours before bed time.
Turning off electronics in the evening two to three hours before bedtime is a good rule of thumb. Any type of electronic device that emits blue light or revs up brain activity counteracts the body’s natural transition to sleep.
Trade in screen time for book time!
I've been using this tip for my little guy and I think it's helping him fall asleep faster. During the summer we were a bit lax with letting him play with his iPad right after dinner, but now that school is starting we've eliminate that from his nightly routine. I'm also trying to stick this rule myself!
3. Don't slack off on the weekends
Consistency in routines in key, especially for young children. Letting your kids stay up late on Friday and Saturday night might seem like a fun idea, but it can confuse their internal clocks and make your weekdays much more difficult. Stick to an established timeframe for bedtime and for waking, and your back to school transition will be much easier.
4. Lay their clothes out the night before
My little man loves to be in charge of what he wears to school and with a little gentle direction, he can pick out his own outfits. However, this display of independence can take a bit of time, which we sometimes don't have a lot of in the mornings. I've started incorporating picking out the next day's outfit in our nighttime routine, that way he still gets to feel independent, but I'm not rushing him along.
5. Make a breakfast menu
We often take the time to make dinner menus, but what about breakfast?! We all know it's the most important meal of the day, but it can be exhausting when you have a picky eater. I grew tired of scrambling in the mornings to find something my son would eat, so I made a list of his favorites and now have a specific idea for each day of the week. Mondays are muffins and a smoothie, Tuesdays are oatmeal, Wednesday are waffles, and so on. It makes the morning much easier for both of us.
6. Spend some quality time with your pre-schooler
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Preschool and extra curricular activities. I can only imagine what it will be like as my children get older. I have to remind myself that my son isn't getting quite as much quality time with me anymore. Between his new baby sister and four hours at preschool every day - he needs some special one-on-one time with mom. I try to carve out a bit of time each afternoon when the baby is sleeping to focus solely on him. I think it really helps him feel special and act out less.
How is the Back-to-School transition going for you?
What's your bedtime routine like?
I'd love to hear if you have any tips!
Disclosure: I've partnered with Sealy for this post and have a received promotional items for participating. All opinions are 100% my own.
Deborah D says
Thanks for the great tips!
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
We don't have too many transitions for back to school since we are homeschooling this year. 🙂 I have a general plan for each day and we do things in order, but if my kids are tired and sleep 30 minutes extra its no big deal. We'll just start a bit later, but do the same basic school routine. If we have somewhere to be, we find a stopping point and come back to it when we get home. We've actually been able to do more and enjoy more now that school is back in session because the summer crowds are gone! We have moved up bedtime because the days have been so full and they are being even more active now that we can enjoy the park, pool, etc every afternoon... it has been wearing them out and I lov
Jen st Pierre says
My youngest has yet to go to school he's only 2. How ever he is the baby & I think I would ball my eyes out when the time comes. As for the 2 older kids I've gone through the first day of school 9years & 6years each & I celebrate when they go back 😉
Joy says
Sleep rituals are a great way to create an anchor to the feeling of sleepiness. When I was younger, my mom wrote out a daily schedule with us to help us decide what we were going to do the next day. This really helped keep that structure in our lives, not allowing us to be very lazy and roaming free. We definitely did have freedom, but it was within a framework. I think that was very helpful for us, especially as latchkey kids who were left home alone for the most part.
Sandra Caballero says
I change my daughter bedtime one hour earlier one week before school start. This year she will start 1st grade. So exciting for her !
Regina Wright says
It's pretty hectic here. I have a 7 year old (2nd grader) and a new preschooler. I'm a SAHM and 3 years ago when my oldest stared school, I was working. My husband witnessed the first day. I'm a bit nervous. I'm going to be an emotional wreck on Monday when she starts. I'll get a handle on things though.
Lindsey G. says
Oh these are great tips! I had a hard time getting my girls to go to bed earlier, I should have started the transition sooner. And I love the idea for a Breakfast Menu!
Lauren Jones says
For a more relaxing experience I like to spray my sons bed sheets in light, subtle and dreamy scents such as lavender, so that it will help him to wind down at the end of the day and fall asleep more easily.
Holly Treat says
Back to school is going great! I have 3 kids, but only one in school. My 5 year old is in kindergarten and she absolutely loves it! Our bedtime routine has stayed the same, just like yours.
Patricia Jacobs says
My little guy is not in school yet but these tips are definitely being saved for future reference. I'd agree with the bedtime ritual as a necessity for transitioning easier.
Kendra says
Back to school is going smoothly for us. My daughter is in bed by 8:30 with no fuss and is awake by 7:00am to catch the bus in the morning
Kim B says
Thanks for the tips. Half the battle is being organized! The right amount of sleeps definitely helps too!
Deborah D says
as much as i try my kids take naps very rarely.
Felicia Wink says
Great tips! I've got awhile to go before my little one is old enough for school. I will definitely pin this for later!
Jodi J says
The last two years, since my oldest son started kindergarten, mornings have been a challenge for us. I make sure that I get up early, because it takes about half and hour and multiple wakings to get my kids out of bed. Even then sometimes the boys will continue to cuddle under their blankets and drag their feet. A week ago I invested in an alarm clock. I set it up in my boys' room and set it to go off with plenty of time to get up and ready before school. I was a little nervous when I found out that the buzzer on this alarm clock starts off really quiet and then slowly builds in volume. I was shocked, but everyday my boys both jump out of bed within moments of the alarm going off. My husband and I don't even hear the buzzer. I had hoped that the alarm clock would help a little but I never dreamed that it would work so well for us.
Tammy Harris says
Great advice I really need to work on setting clothes out the night before and making breakfast in the morning.
Kaylee janecka says
These are great tips! Thank you
Lisa Garland says
Back to school transition is fine, I try to keep about the same schedule throughout the summer. We do a bath and book before bedtime.
vanessa dalton says
Thank you for the wonderful tips!
Joyce says
These are all great tips...now I just need to put them to use. I mean, they are all nothing new to me but I have such a hard time actually doing them. I have never been able to keep a routine of decent bed time and no screen time is a big one we try in our house but when we don't, it is a painful night! Not slacking off on the weekends and planning breakfasts (and lunches) are others I really need to work on. I'm sure we can all spend more time with our kids too! Thank you!
J Wong says
Sleep and keeping (or getting kids back on) a routine is crucial for school success. Kids and grown ups need to be well rested to make the most of our days.
Brittany Bray says
This is awesome. My son just started preschool this August so this will help us a lot!!
Joye Rast says
Keeping to the same routine every night has always help the morning go smoother.
Marquita Johnson-Busby says
My kids are homeschooling but the same tips applly. Especially getting them into a bedtime routine.
Natalie says
We typically go to bed around 9 on school days to get a more consistent sleeping pattern.
Mia says
Fantastic tips to help not just preschoolers but older kids get into good habits. Sleep and routine are so important.
Amber Ludwig says
We aren't headed back to school yet thankfully lol!! But I've been reading so many great tips!! Our bedtime routine now goes: jammies, brush teeth, read books and then bed 🙂 He sleeps with a crib soother so that helps him relax and drift off! Thankfully he's super good at going to bed at 2 1/2. I'm sure that will change lol.
Jennifer M says
Even though we homeschool, there are still a lot of great tips here that would apply to us . Thank you for this.
Claire Rheinheimer says
My son started preschool 3 weeks ago, just 2 days a week. It's not going well. I can't get him to go to bed early and have to wake him up several hours before he would normally wake up. I don't even know what to do at this point. He's been a child that stays up late since before he was born- I worked a very physical job where I walked non stop all day long until 2 days before my due date, so he would be asleep all day and awake all night. That hasn't changed. I honestly just don't know how to fix his bedtime!
Brandy Burkett says
Love it! Thanks!
Lauryn R says
These all great tips! I always find it extremely helpful to establish a bedtime routine with my kids as well, they love schedules
Lesley F says
Love the tips given. Laying out the clothes the night before is a must in our house
Amanda Schaeffer says
These are great tips thanks for sharing
Cheryl Reinhardt says
I am a firm believer in having back to school bed time... kids need their sleep so they can think and participate in school.
Christina Strapp Lambert says
I'm not sure yet since my daughter starts on Monday. She is starting Pre-K, so this will be new for all of us.
Amy Hall says
Will seem counterintuitive, or at the very least, possibly inflamamtory :blush: But.....I'd say to avoid the rush, stress and all the ball o wax..skip preschool. :shrug: it's really not necessary. Pretty soon they'll have our 1 year olds in some program, lol. Kids just need to play.
Lily Kwan says
These back to preschool tips are very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
yeng says
i'll have to keep up with #2 and 3, those are my big troubles
yesenia landaverde says
My boys aren't ready for school yet but these are great tips.
denise low says
Thanks for the tips. Very good ideas
Jenna Law says
My daughter isn't even one yet, but I will definitely keep this in mind!
Jenny says
we still have a couple years until preschool, but thesea re great tips.
Jennifer Odom says
Thanks for the great tips! It's always a tough transition.
Nicole Reed says
Thanks for the great tips.
Dorothy Boucher says
These are all great tips and I love the idea of no tv before bed , which makes sense to me,, I do love the reading time before sleep and its a great way for mom or like me , nana to read to there child or grandchild,,,
Tiffany Blank says
My bitty girl is not in prek but just started kindergarten. One suggestion I'd give mamas is to make sure little ones potty as soon as they wake up! My girl tries to hold it then forgets. They get so busy at school pottying is the last thing they wanna do!
Elisabeth says
That's so great that you have a bedtime routine! I'm hoping to do that with our son.
yeng says
kids start next tuesday, another busy school year
Roxann Benthagen says
I remember my son's first day of preschool. I have to admit I cried a little. 🙁
denise low says
They are so cute going to school at that age. But time goes by so fast and then they are heading off to college.
Anita k says
Thanks so very much for sharing this.
Rosanne Morrison says
I always thought this was the hardest part of starting school again. I am a night owl and let my kids stay up late in the summer so they'd sleep in and I could too but we had to start about 3 weeks ahead of time to get to bed earlier and earlier and get up early.
Toni says
Thanks for the ideas, we're just starting preschool with my grandson,we're still at that transitioning point. Some bad days getting more good days now, his teachers are fantastic with the kid's when they have a problem not wanting to stay.
Lauren Jones says
It's going great for the kids but I just started back to school also so I'm kind of exhausted after the day is over...I'm always looking forward to bed even when I first wake up in the morning. Lol
Danielle S says
These are great tips, but the best tip of all - homeschool your children. I am so happy that I did!