Back to School Routines

Although most kids are still in summer mode -- staying up late, sleeping in, and maybe recovering from a family summer vacation, now can be a good time to get back into a back to school routine.

It is best to get your child used to going to bed at a reasonable time and getting up early a few weeks before school starts, instead of waiting until the night before the first day of school. This is especially important for kids going to kindergarten for the first time, who may still be used to taking a daytime nap.

Before summer is over, you might also visit your pediatrician if your child has any chronic medical conditions, like allergies, asthma, food allergies, or ADHD, to make sure your child's symptoms are well controlled before school starts.