Helping Your Child Adjust to Daylight Savings
Daylight Savings is just around the corner, and while many of us enjoy those longer evenings, it can take our little ones a few days to adjust. Children thrive on routine, and when the clocks suddenly move forward, their body clocks don’t always keep up.
The good news is, with a few small adjustments, you can make this transition much smoother for your child — and protect everyone’s sleep in the process.
One way to help is to gently move everything in your child’s day forward by 10–15 minutes in the days leading up to Daylight Savings. This can ease the shock of suddenly jumping to the new time.
But sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Here are my top three tips for making Daylight Savings easier on children.
1. Switch to Daylight Savings Time Straight Away
On Sunday, move straight into the new time. Try to wake your child at the time they usually get up — just according to the new clock. This helps reset their rhythm more quickly and avoids dragging the transition out.
2. Keep It Dark for Sleep Times
Light plays a huge role in how easily children fall asleep. At bedtime especially, make the environment as dark as possible. Even a little extra light in the evenings can make it harder for your child to wind down. Using block-out curtains or blinds can really help.
3. Make It Bright for Awake Times
Just as darkness helps the body know it’s time to sleep, light signals that it’s time to be awake. During the day, open the blinds and let in as much natural light as possible. This helps reset their circadian rhythm and makes the adjustment easier.
Even with these strategies, it may take a couple of days for your child to fully adjust. That’s normal. With consistency and a little patience, they’ll soon be back to sleeping well on the new schedule.
Daylight Savings doesn’t have to mean sleepless nights. Small, simple changes can make a big difference — and help your child get back into a great routine quickly. If you find your family still struggling, please know support is available. Sometimes a little extra guidance can make all the difference.