CARE Team News
September 2026
Summer often brings later bedtimes, slower mornings, and more flexible schedules. Returning to an early school routine can make the first few weeks harder for children and parents.
Insufficient sleep is associated with difficulty concentrating, behavior concerns, poor mental health, and lower academic performance.
Some Helpful Tips:
- Begin adjusting bedtime and wake-up time: Move the schedule earlier by 15 to 30 minutes every few days rather than changing everything at once.
- A consistent evening routine may include preparing clothes and backpacks, turning off entertainment screens, taking a bath or shower, reading, and going to bed at a predictable time.
- Choose a relaxing activity to participate in before bed.
Did You Know: Children ages 6 to 12 generally need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, while teenagers ages 13 to 18 need 8 to 10 hours. Adequate sleep supports attention, emotional regulation, behavior, and learning.
Ask specific, open-ended questions such as:
- “What are you most looking forward to this year?”
- “Is there anything about school that worries you?”
- “What do you think will be different this year?”
- “What would make the school year feel easier?”
- “Who could you talk to at school if you needed help?”
Listen before offering solutions. Avoid dismissing concerns with statements such as “There is nothing to worry about.” Instead, acknowledge the feeling and help your child think through manageable next steps. The CARE Team is always here to support you and your student through navigating the back to school emotions.
Have children practice waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, packing their belongings, and leaving the house around the expected departure time. Review where shoes, backpacks, and lunchboxes will be kept.
Younger children may benefit from a picture-based checklist. Older children and teens can use alarms and written routines.
The goal is not to create a perfectly timed morning. It is to reduce uncertainty and help children understand what will be expected. Routine is key!
