Falling Back into a Routine: Helping Your Child Adjust to the Time Change
Published
An extra hour of sleep sounds like a gift—until your child wakes up an hour earlier, ready to start the day!
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, clocks will turn back one hour as daylight saving time ends. For young children, that small shift can mean earlier wake-ups, sleepy evenings, and a few days of adjustment. Their internal clocks need time to catch up with the clock on the wall!
The good news? Familiar routines and a few gentle adjustments can help your family ease into the change.
If your child tends to be sensitive to schedule changes, try moving bedtime about 15 minutes later each night for a few nights before the clocks change. Keep the shift gradual and pay attention to how your child is feeling rather than pushing through exhaustion.
Haven’t had a chance to prepare? That’s okay, too. You can focus on consistent routines after the change and give your child time to adjust. There's no one right way to tackle it.
When the time on the clock changes, the steps leading up to sleep can stay reassuringly familiar. Brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, choosing a book, and sharing a quiet cuddle help signal that the day is coming to an end.
At Apple Montessori Schools, we value the predictability and independence that routines tend to support. At home, simple choices—such as selecting between two books—can give children a sense of ownership while keeping the evening calm and manageable.
A walk around the neighborhood, a visit to the playground, or outdoor play can support the transition. Exposure to natural light during the day helps the body adjust its internal clock, and daytime physical activity supports healthy sleep.
As bedtime approaches, trade energetic play for quieter activities that help your child settle down.
Put screens away at least an hour before bedtime and make space for a gentler end to the day. Reading together, listening to quiet music, or talking about a favorite moment can become comforting parts of your evening.
The goal is a repeatable routine that your family can comfortably maintain.
Once the clocks change, aim to follow the new local time for meals and bedtime routines. These everyday cues help establish the updated schedule.
If your child still naps, move toward the new schedule gently, keeping their age and tiredness cues in mind. Try to avoid making several big changes at once.
A few early mornings or extra sleepy evenings don’t mean your routine has stopped working. Most children adjust within about a week, although every child is different.
Offer reassurance, stay as consistent as you can, and allow some flexibility when your child needs it. If sleep difficulties persist or concern you, check in with your pediatrician.
As we fall back this weekend, a little preparation—and plenty of patience—can help the whole family find its rhythm again!
