Having a set bedtime routine for kids can ease the transition from wakeful play to sleep time. In fact, bedtime routines are extremely important for children because it helps them to feel more comfortable and secure in knowing what to expect at the end of the day. If your child is having trouble sleeping, it is time to figure out how to create a bedtime routine.
The truth is bedtime rituals, routines and schedules play a huge part in helping your children fall sound asleep at night. When you maintain and set positive sleep habits, it will help your little one to fall asleep and stay asleep properly throughout the night. Not only that but it will have your children waking up feeling refreshed and rested the next day. This is great news for parents as dealing with an overtired and cranky child is hardly a picnic.
Bedtime Routines are great for taking the fuss and stress out of asking your children to climb into bed, making your nightly routine that much easier too.
How to Create a Bedtime Routine for Kids
Set a Specific Time
When creating a bedtime routine for kids you will want to set a specific time and make sure that you stick to it. Your child’s internal clock will begin to adjust much faster to the routine as long as it follows a consistent time frame.
Give a Warning
Just before it is time for your children to start getting ready for bed, give them a warning. Your little ones may be too young to tell time just yet so rather than giving them a time frame by telling them they have 10 more minutes, have them start running their bathwater with you. These little indicators will let your kids know it is almost time for bed and help them to associate the tub being drawn with the start of the routine. If your children are older, you can simply tell them they have 10 more minutes, ask them to tidy up their mess or set a timer.
Keep It Simple
When creating your bedtime routine for kids you are going to want to keep it as simple as possible. This is because you want it to be easy to follow and not overwhelming. Make the bedtime routine steps as few as possible and keep it simple for your little ones to predict.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key with a good bedtime routine. You want it to be as predictable as possible, but you also want them to understand that these are the steps that they take to get ready for bed, and this means it is bedtime. Whenever possible, try to keep the steps exactly the same each night. If some nights your kids have baths and others they do not, try to keep bath time out of the routine altogether and perhaps bathe them before dinner, or before their winddown time. Consistency is important if you want your routine to work.
No matter what you choose to include in your bedtime routine for kids, just make sure you set a specific time, give a warning, keep it simple and remain consistent. What your bedtime routine consists of is entirely up to you, the important thing is that you keep doing it in the same order, at the same time, every night.