Bedtime Routine to Help Kids 6-8 Transition to the School Day

A bedtime routine helps transition your kid from the school day or after-school activities to a calmer frame of mind. Consider making a bedtime routine checklist for your kid to follow. If you need to make changes, such as adjusting the bedtime, make the changes gradually. Consider allowing your kid to help set the order of the bedtime routine tasks — kids feel more confident and independent when their input is requested.

Try this school night bedtime routine for kids ages 6-8:

1. Ensure any take-home work is done (parent forms signed, etc.)

2. Bath time [link to therapeutic bath article]

3. Put on pajamas

4. Brush hair and teeth

5. Prepare clothes for the next day

6. 20-30 minutes of calm play in a dim room

7. Read a book

8. Use the bathroom one last time

9. Lights out

Since young kids only need baths two to three times a week⁵, the evening routine will vary slightly. Providing kid-friendly bath products is another way to encourage your child to take ownership of their hygiene routine. All Aveeno® Kids products are designed without harsh cleansers. The Aveeno® Kids Face & Body Wash gently cleanses without stripping natural oils to keep skin healthy, clean, feeling moisturized, and smelling fresh. For kids' hair, the Aveeno® Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, with oat extract, hydrates and detangles hair, leaving it soft, smooth, and easy to manage. For kids with curly hair, Aveeno® Kids Curly Hair Shampoo and Aveeno® Kids Curly Hair Conditioner, with oat extract and shea butter, help define curls and control frizz.

Bedtime Routine Dos and Don'ts

As you develop a bedtime routine, here are some things to consider:

Dos:

• Do actively participate in the routine with your child

• Do make the routine age-appropriate

• Do establish boundaries with your kid by following clear rules

• Do make the kid's room dark but not too dark (use a nightlight)

Don'ts:

• Don't allow stimulating activities before bed (i.e., too much screen time)

• Don't wait until the child is sleepy to put them to bed

• Don't let your kid have caffeine (commonly found in sodas, teas, and chocolate) or sugary treats in the evening

• Don't stray from their regular sleep schedule too much on the weekends

With a solid bedtime routine, you may find that your school mornings have become less stressful. Another way to calm the hectic morning is to prepare the night before. For example, you can make lunches ahead of time and prep an easy grab-and-go breakfast. Gathering the kids' school items (backpack, shoes, coat, lunch box, etc.) in one area by the door will help facilitate getting out the door in the morning. Once the preparations are completed, don't forget to try and schedule some "you time" to reboot before the next day! You can also check out our Stress-Free School Morning Routine for Kids 6-8 article for more information.