“Sleep, little child, sleep, the father guards the sheep…” – surely you know this old lullaby and have sung it to your child many times. But when is it actually bedtime for children?
When should children sleep?
Well, there is no clear answer to this question. The right bedtime depends on many factors. First of all, the age of the child. An infant needs much more sleep than a kindergartener, and will nap every now and then throughout the day. With young babies, it’s especially important to watch for the first signs of sleepiness. Digressive interest, whining and yawning indicate that the baby now needs rest in order to find sleep. Read about: How baby learns to sleep
Another factor that plays a decisive role in determining bedtimes for children is when the child or parents have to leave the house in the morning. A kindergarten child usually does not have a fixed time when he or she has to be in his or her group early. If one of the parents is not working or does not go to work until later in the morning, there is nothing to stop them from sleeping in early. If the parents are also late sleepers, they will also put their child to bed a little later in the evening so that it is not already in the parents’ bedroom at 6 o’clock in the morning. Also read: When children don’t let their parents sleep in
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Introduce fixed bedtimes in good time
At the latest when the child then goes to school, the evening bedtime will be more regular and earlier. Elementary school children usually go to sleep between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., because their alarm clock often rings before 7:00 a.m. in the morning. On weekends, there’s nothing to say against staying up a little longer in the evening.
Whether you put your offspring to bed earlier or later, try to achieve a certain regularity when going to bed. It is very important to keep the time before bedtime quiet. If possible, bedtime in the evening should always be introduced with a fixed ritual. Many young children love it when they are allowed to watch the “Sandman” on television in the evening. Most parents sing their child a lullaby in the evening or read him a bedtime story later, when he is a little older. Even elementary school children love these evening rituals and don’t want to do without “their” story, even if they can now read for themselves. Sleep rituals for children
Every family must find out for itself the right bedtime for its child. Every child is different. Some children need a lot of sleep, while others manage with less and are still well-balanced. Therefore, observe your offspring closely. You will quickly realize when it is time for him to sleep.
Read also: Morning routine with children