Examiner.com

Daylight saving time is just around the corner! On Sunday, March 14th 2010, the nations clocks will "spring forward," casting a single hour of precious sleep into the abyss. For children, the significance of that hour is often enough to throw them off beat for a few days, until their bodies adjust. However, the time change doesn't have to be difficult. If parents plan well, they can help their young adjust quickly and in a healthy way. Here are some tips:

• Have children spend a good amount of time playing outside. Physical movement can help people respond better to changes, and daylight helps regulate body rhythms.
  
• Maintain regular sleep/wake times, and do not try to compensate for the lost hour. Delaying bedtime or allowing children to sleep in will only increase transition time. However, adjusting bedtime to just 15 minutes earlier each night starting the Thursday before, will put them right on schedule by Sunday.
  
• Do not use over the counter sleep medicines to "knock them out". Children need to adjust naturally.

• Make sure they are well rested prior to the time change.
  
• An hour before bedtime, begin to wind down. Turn of all video games, computers, etc. and have children do something relaxing, such as read or take a bath.
  
• Their bedroom should be a dark, quiet, and comfortable environment to promote good sleep.

By following the above tips, everyone should be able to adjust in just a few days and, with any luck, crankiness will be kept to a minimum. Sleep is so important for everyone, not just children, so making a conscious effort to bring in the time change smoothly will benefit the entire family! For more information on the health benefits of building good sleep habits visit everydayhealth.com.

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