The start of school and the changing colors of the leaves bring a cozy season of warmth and wellness.
The start of school and the changing colors of the leaves bring a cozy season of warmth and wellness. During this time, however, it’s essential to check in with your family to discover ways to help them, especially your child, feel their best this fall.
You can help your child feel their best by observing their routines at school and at home, including introducing natural sleep remedies for their sleep routines, adjusting their eating habits, and improving their social relationships. Create easy activities at home to guide your child in their learning, communication, and movement to ensure they thrive this fall season and beyond.
This article will cover ways to help your child feel their best this time of year, including natural sleep remedies for bedtime and ways to support them in this exciting period of childhood and growth.
Explain to your child that there is a certain way to do things at school and that might be different than at home. If your child is just entering school, it is helpful to demonstrate which days are “home days” and which days are school days with a visual schedule.
Add pictures to a calendar or create one with your child. As with routines, it’s best to keep them consistent and do the same thing at the same time each day. That way, your child knows what is coming next; this reduces anxiety, avoids tantrums, and sets realistic expectations. Try involving your child by asking them what they would like to do on a Saturday and adding it to the schedule—this creates buy-in!
According to KidsHealth, infants 4–12 months need 12–16 hours of sleep, including naps. For preschoolers, it’s a bit more, with 10–13 hours, and school-aged kids need around 9–12 hours. Another way to ensure better sleep for your child is by using natural sleep remedies, like a sleep patch. These patches release essential oils that calm the nervous system and promote better sleep.
Even if you have to chop carrots into cute shapes and divide their crustless turkey sandwich into the compartments of a bento box, ensure your child is getting enough proper nutrition. According to the CDC, a lack of adequate consumption of specific foods, such as fruits, vegetables, or dairy, is associated with lower grades.
Almost nothing is worse for a child than feeling insecure all day because their mom picked out their outfit. Give your child autonomy by allowing a clothing budget if they are old enough. If they are younger, dress them so they can play, move around, and get messy. Movement is an integral part of child development; you wouldn’t want clothing to restrict that.
Instead of setting up a play date based on your social needs with the “popular” parent group, listen to what and who your child is talking about. You can gently prod with, “Who in your class might need a friend?” or, “Is there anyone new this year that you might want to know better?”
These questions encourage friendliness and openness, ultimately teaching your child how to form healthy relationships. Make sure to build time for play and exploration together as a family or as unstructured time for your child, as this helps promote learning through creativity.
If you can, dedicate a space in your home for learning, reading, playing, and sleeping. Eventually, your child will naturally start to do the appropriate activity in that space. For example, if they fall asleep on the couch, it may be tempting to leave them be, but carrying them to their bed will help them associate sleepiness with their dedicated sleep space. Also, by taking natural sleep remedies 30 minutes before bed, your child will know it’s time to calm their body and relax for sleepy time.
Your child should have a special place for play and toys, reading, and studying if they are old enough. Make sure their study space has fewer distractions and is organized to help them feel their best.
Watching your child learn and grow can be delightful, primarily when you can support their routines at school and home with the help of everything from natural sleep remedies to routines and bento boxes. It is crucial, however, to note that children grow and learn at their own pace, so while you can enjoy their milestones, it is best not to compare them to other children. Support and develop routines for your child to live a happy and healthy life at home and school.
