The holidays are over and the start of school is approaching. But in your home, bedtime may still be the summer one: your child goes to bed late, wakes up late, spends more time on the phone or television and doesn't want to hear about schedules. Meanwhile, you're thinking: "How is this child going to wake up for school?" Don't try to change the whole routine overnight. The move from holidays to school is a real change for a child. Their body and mind are used to a different rhythm and need a little time to adjust.

1. Start changing the sleep schedule gradually

If your child has been going to sleep at 23:30 during the holidays, don't expect them to suddenly fall asleep at 21:00. Start a few days before school begins and gradually bring bedtime forward. Each evening you can put them to bed about 15–30 minutes earlier. Just as important is the wake-up time. Waking up at a consistent time helps the body gradually restore its sleep rhythm.

2. Don't turn sleep into a battle

"Go to bed now!" "I've told you ten times!" "If you don't go to sleep, no phone tomorrow!" In many families, these sentences start as soon as school draws near. The problem is that the more tension we create around sleep, the more the child may associate bed with conflict. Instead of threats, create a calm bedtime routine: a shower, brushing teeth, getting clothes ready for tomorrow, a book and then sleep. A predictable routine helps the child understand that the day is coming to an end.

3. Limit phones, tablets and television in the evening

One of the biggest obstacles to children's sleep is using screens right up to the last moment. Set a family rule: phones, tablets and video games are switched off before bed. Devices can stay out of the child's room at night. Don't present this as a punishment. Explain it: "Your brain needs to calm down so you have energy for school tomorrow."

4. Bring back not just sleep, but the whole routine

The routine before school starts isn't only about bedtime. During the last days of the holidays, try to gradually bring back the wake-up time, breakfast, mealtimes, playtime and quiet moments during the day. If during the summer your child has been getting up at 10:00, eating whenever they wanted and playing until late, don't expect their body to adapt immediately to the rhythm of school. Start a few days earlier: wake them up a little earlier each morning, put meals at more regular times and create a calmer rhythm in the evening. Children feel safer when they know what will happen next. So together you can create a simple routine for the days before school: Wake up → breakfast → the day's activities → lunch → rest → play or reading → dinner → calm evening routine → sleep. This way, when the first day of school comes, the change won't be sudden. The child's body and mind will already have started adapting to the new routine.

5. Involve your child in the process

Instead of the routine sounding like a list of orders, ask them: "What can we do to make mornings easier for you?" Let them choose their bag, the clothes for the first day, the book they'll read before bed or the way they'll organise their desk. When a child is involved in decision-making, cooperation becomes easier.

Don't expect perfection on the first day

If your child complains, it doesn't mean the routine isn't working. They are simply adjusting to a change. The goal isn't to create a start to school without any resistance, but a transition with as little stress and conflict as possible. Good sleep, a consistent routine and emotional calm help a child have more energy, concentration, memory and emotional control at school. So before we worry only about books and school bags, let's also prepare the child's body and mind for the return to school.