Sleep plays a vital role in children's daily well-being and development. Research, including a 2012 study in the journal Pediatrics, shows that children aged 7 to 11 who went to bed one hour earlier than usual for five nights a week were more attentive and less irritable at school. Establishing an early bedtime—ideally between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.—supports toddlers' physical and psychological growth, while enhancing cognitive function and overall health. Tailor the schedule to your child's age and nap routine, making gradual adjustments as needed.
Science writer Melinda Wenner Moyer, who beds her own children at 7:30 p.m., recommends pediatrician Marc Weissbluth's approach in Slate. "The time a child falls asleep is as important, if not more so, than total hours slept," Weissbluth explains. Parents can test this by advancing bedtime by 20 minutes for a few days. If your child falls asleep easily, an earlier routine is likely ideal. For busy families, prep dinner ahead so kids can eat soon after arriving home.
Weissbluth's straightforward method requires no cost and little effort. Start tonight for noticeable improvements.
