CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 07/07/16

Consistent schedule vital to children's health

By Clint Thompson

Once the school year starts, developing and keeping a consistent schedule is vital to children’s health and well-being, says Diane Bales, a child development specialist with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

As summer winds down and preparations for the upcoming school year begin, Bales recommends that parents establish a routine. A routine provides security for children and helps reduce the stress of the new school year.

“The younger the children are, the more they rely on that security to know what to expect in their day and in their life,” said Bales, an associate professor in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Science. “Setting up that routine and practicing the steps reduces anxiety on the first day of school and helps make the transition from summer to school much smoother.”

The most challenging change in schedule from summer to the school year comes at bedtime. During the summer, parents may be more relaxed about their children’s bedtime, knowing that the children don’t have to get up early the next day. Bales suggests that parents start establishing an earlier bedtime at least a week before school starts; changing that bedtime overnight is unlikely to produce positive results.

“If your children have been going to bed at 9 and they need to go to bed at 7 or 7:30 to get enough sleep for school, they won't easily fall asleep when you put them to bed at 7:30 right away. Moving bedtime back 15 minutes every night for a week is going to be more effective,” Bales said. “It gets you closer to actually having them on the schedule that you want them to have.”

Bales also points to the importance of getting children to wind down before they go to bed. Activities that stimulate the mind — like watching TV or using an electronic device — may prevent them from sleeping when they’re supposed to, says Bales.

“Maybe take a bath, brush your teeth or read a book. Just have some quiet, settled-down time,” Bales said. “It doesn’t mean that they’re never going to resist and never going to be unhappy when it’s time to go to bed, but be consistent. Over time, it really does give them that security.”

Parents are also encouraged to prepare the night before the start of school in order to make the first morning of school easier. Lay out clothes ahead of time. Make lunch the night before. Put essentials like books or bookbags in designated places. This allows for a more peaceful morning for the children and for parents to get ready in a timely manner.

Clint Thompson is an agriculture writer based in Tifton, Georgia.

Authors:
Clint Thompson
Experts/Sources:
Diane W Bales
BabyEating CAES News
Early start, healthy futures: UGA Extension leads peanut allergy education 11/25/24 Emily Cabrera
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing peanut-containing products to infants as early as 4 to 6 months old, especially for children at high risk for allergies. But this information isn't reaching the public as it should. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist Ali Berg is leading efforts to close this information gap.
LiceCheck CAES News
A back-to-school guide to the nitty-gritty on head lice 08/12/24 Allison Johnson
As students return to school, head lice often become a common concern for administrators and parents. Understanding how to prevent and manage head lice infestations is crucial for maintaining healthy environments in schools and at home. Allison Johnson, the Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator for the University of Georgia, provides essential information and advice to help mitigate the spread of this pesky pest.
For some students, heading back to school feels like entering a pressure cooker. Parents can ease anxieties by helping their students develop strategies for handling stressful situations. CAES News
Families should make a plan to manage back-to-school stress 07/29/24 Merritt Melancon
As summer draws to an end, both students and parents need to prepare for the return to school. While a new backpack and a collection of notebooks and pens might top their to-do list, students also need to prepare emotionally, said Diane Bales, a human development specialist for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and a professor of human development and family science in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
gwinnett county extension CAES News
Metro Atlanta Extension office growing capacity to reach diverse audiences 02/21/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
As the population of Gwinnett County approaches the 1 million mark, with a highly diverse demographic profile, the county's University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office is preparing to serve its changing constituency effectively. Recently, the Gwinnett County Extension Program received a $250,000 budget increase from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners to increase staffing and expand community educational outreach and engagement to underrepresented groups around the county.
Study finds one-year gap between food assistance programs can lead to 20% reduction in diet’s nutritional quality. CAES News
Kids who lose WIC lose nutrition 07/31/23 Erica P. Techo
A one-year gap in access to WIC can have a significantly negative effect on the quality of some 5-year-olds’ diets. A new study from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences found that when children age out of WIC after their fifth birthday, many families are left without food assistance support for up to a year. Until the child enters kindergarten, the nutritional quality of their diet takes about a 20% hit, according to the study.
Georgia State 4-H President Venya Gunjal is determined to develop tools for others to succeed. CAES News
Georgia State 4-H President Venya Gunjal blazes a bright path 07/20/23 Josie Smith
Everyone is on their feet. A moment before, a pin dropping from the speaker’s podium would have echoed throughout the chamber at the Georgia Capitol. Then 180 members of Georgia’s House of Representatives filled the room with thunderous applause as Venya Gunjal delivered her final word of thanks.