Is Starting School Disrupting Your Child’s Sleep? Here’s How to Help
Starting school is a huge milestone — and while it can bring excitement, pride and new routines, it can also shake up your child’s sleep in unexpected ways.
If your child is suddenly taking ages to fall asleep, waking more often in the night, or getting up super early, you’re not alone. These changes are common — but with gentle support, they don’t have to last.
🎒 Why Does Starting School Affect Sleep?
Even if your child was sleeping well before, the shift to school life is big. Here’s what might be going on:
1. Emotional overload
School is a whole new world of stimulation, structure and social learning. By bedtime, your child’s brain is full — and they may struggle to switch off.
2. Separation stress
Being away from you all day can trigger new waves of separation anxiety at night, especially for younger children.
3. Overtiredness
School is physically and mentally demanding. If naps have gone and bedtime hasn’t adjusted, your child might be going to bed overtired — making it even harder for them to fall and stay asleep.
4. Changes in routine
Earlier wake-ups, longer days and busy evenings can easily throw sleep off balance.
😴 Signs Sleep Is Being Disrupted
Taking longer to fall asleep
Bedtime resistance or emotional outbursts in the evening
Night waking or early rising
Increased clinginess at bedtime
Complaints of feeling “worried,” “scared,” or “not tired”
These behaviours are your child’s way of processing a big change — and asking for extra support.
💞 How You Can Help Gently
Here are some gentle strategies that can help your child get the rest they need:
1. Bring bedtime forward
An earlier bedtime (even by 15–30 minutes) can help prevent overtiredness, especially in the first term.
2. Build in quiet connection time
Make space for calm, 1:1 moments after school. Even 10 minutes of cuddles, play or reading can ease the emotional load and fill their connection cup.
3. Keep bedtime routines consistent
Familiar steps before bed create a sense of safety and predictability. Keep it calm, comforting and screen-free in the hour before sleep.
4. Talk about their day (but not right before lights out)
Let them share feelings during dinner or bath time — not when they’re already in bed. This helps avoid a surge of emotion just as they’re meant to be winding down.
5. Be patient and responsive
Sleep disruptions during transitions are normal. Offer reassurance and know that with consistency, things will settle again.
🌙 Struggling to find your rhythm?
If school has upended your evenings or your child’s sleep feels like it’s gone backwards, I can help.
At Care to Dream, I support families with gentle, child-led sleep strategies that take big transitions like starting school into account — so you can all get the rest you need.
💤 Need a plan that works for your family? Book a free intro call and let’s chat about how I can support you.