Back to School Guide (Part 2 of 2)

The end of summer and the end of sleeping in late… well, at least for most kids.  My kids have no idea how to sleep in.  My oldest is always awake by 6:30 a.m.   Only now, since he has learned how to make his own breakfast, can I sleep a few minutes longer before the other 3 kids roll into my room and jump into my bed.  But enough about my kids, what about yours?

If your child has taken advantage of the summer schedule and has been sleeping in, it is important to begin the shift back to school hours several days before the first day of school (a week before if you can).  It’s very much like being jet-lagged.  It takes about two days at the new time zone before you can really feel functional and normal again.  Imagine how hard it will be for your child to focus and be successful at school if he is jet-lagged those first few days!
 
High school students are biologically wired to sleep until noon and go to bed after midnight.  In the summer, many fall naturally into this sleeping pattern.  Also, studies have shown that teenagers need at least 9 hours of sleep every night.  This is generally impossible during the school year with the amount of homework and the number of activities kids today have.  
 
So, it’s not all bad to let your child sleep in during the summer.  However, when school begins, it will be a terrible jolt to your teenager’s system if you don’t have her transition her sleep patterns at least several days before the first day of school.
 
For your elementary school child, do the same, and be sure to prepare him for the new routine.  Teach your child her bus number (if she’s riding the bus).  Have her learn her new teacher’s name.  Talk about the activities and enjoyable things that he can expect with the promotion to the next grade level.    
 
In your mind, plan the schedule.  It’s good to have some “down” time right after school that is not academically-oriented.  Try to encourage exercise or physical activity during this time.  In most schools, there is only limited physical exercise (recess or P.E.) and then the rest of the day, they are sitting in a classroom.  Giving your child some time to run and play after school will actually help him to focus on homework.  
 
For more helpful hints about getting ready to go back to school, take a look at http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/augschool.cfm offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics.