Daylight Savings is happening this weekend. On Sunday, November 4th, 2:00 AM will magically transform back to 1:00 AM to the delight of people without young children everywhere. Meanwhile, parents of young children will anxiously cross their fingers that this will only mess things up for a few days at most.
Of course there is the obvious time and sleep shift which can have it's own huge impact (read more about that here: www.parents.com/kids/sleep/tips/daylight-saving-time/ ), Over-tiredness can lead to cranky toddlers and kids (and grown ups too!) which can snowball into frustration and difficulties self-regulating throughout the house. Make sure you pay attention to your child's cues (and your own) and head to bed a little earlier than the clock dictates if needed. Daylight Savings also cuts some after-work/school sunlight hours out of the equation. Add that to the change in weather and it sure is tricky to get outside for fresh air and some gross motor activities, not to mention burning off some of that energy! Try to come up with ways to get some physical activity in as often as you can. Maybe sign up for swim lessons, see about a nearby open gym for young children (like Mt. Prospect's Rec Plex Play Place), or turn your home into an obstacle course (pillow forts, taking puzzle pieces up the stairs one at a time to put them in a puzzle waiting at the top, etc). Maybe try some silly animal yoga as a family at home (make up the moves!) or a nightly dance party before dinner. Keep in mind that fewer hours of sunlight can also impact some sensitive individuals on a more emotional level too (lower energy level, reluctance to leave the house, difficulty listening and concentrating, etc). Try to stay tuned to your child and be sure to schedule in some extra snuggles and books when needed.
0 Comments
|
AuthorMiss Nicole is the Social Worker for the Early Childhood Program in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Categories
All
Archives
May 2020
|