
10/09/2023
Greek schools start tomorrow, and most of your kids (according to my poll in stories) are still on your summer sleep schedule.
If you follow those tips bellow, I promise you that your child will look so different from other kids on next Friday morning. Most of school kids are getting red eyes and are tired by the end of the first week. This is something that you can prevent. And don’t tell me then that you didn’t know!
➡️Sit down with a piece of paper (or notes in smartphone) and write down all the important time points of the day. Yes, you have to write it down. Just keeping in mind everything - it doesn’t work. Then discuss this schedule with all family and hang it on the fridge so that everybody can look up and remember important times. Most important information that you note is wake up time, bedtime, and all meals of the day.
If you don’t believe your child should get meals the same time every day, tell me about it in comment below.
➡️Plan sleep schedule according to your child’s sleep needs. Most kids in elementary school (δημοτικό) need around 10-11 hours of sleep at night, kindergarten (νήπιο, προνήπιο) 11-12 hours, toddlers 12-14 hours (included nap). So if your child has to leave house at 8 am, and wake up at least at 7:30 am, his bedtime is going to be not later hat 21:00, and for most kids even earlier.
How is it possible to provide child with enough rest in Greek real life (we all know that most afterschool activities are late) - I will talk about it the next weeks. Now the first week just put your sleep and meal schedule as a priority.
➡️Plan time for winddown and relaxing routine. It doesn’t matter how tired you are and how much work you have to finish at the end of the day, you have to find 15-30 minutes for quality time with your child before sleep. Your child’s sleep routine should be consistent (consistent, consistent!!), nice and relaxing, include activities that both you and you child enjoy, calm voices, hugs and love. Oh, and pleaseeeee, no stressful talks about homework at this time!
If you need examples of best bedtime routine activities which also bring you and your child closer, tell me in comments and I will write about it another time.
➡️Good sleep hygiene is your best friend. Voices, sounds, lights get lower an hour before bedtime. No screens and hour before sleep. Use blackout shades at night because it’s not so dark in the evening yet, and also early in the morning. Let fresh air in bedroom, or put on an air condition - the lower temperature, the better sleep. Comfortable bed and pijamas, stuffed animal ( a lovey).
Behind of these sleep hygiene recommendations stand many scientific researches, as well as my practical experience. Just try it and you will see that your child sleeps better.
Questions?⬇️
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