When do the clocks change and how does it affect your children?

When do the clocks change?
For 2006-2007 inclusive, the summer-time periods begin and end respectively on the following dates at 1.00am Greenwich Mean Time:
In 2006: the Sundays of 26 March and 29 October
In 2007: the Sundays of 25 March and 28 October

We move the clocks so that in the Spring we gain in the evening borrowing it from the morning which at this time of the year is already light. 70 other countries observe some form of summer time adjustment or as the USA call its daylight saving time.

As parents most of us welcome the beginning British Summer Time, so that our children can spend more time outside in the evening, and also so that the school run is conducted in daylight. But many of us dread the end of BST, by moving the clocks back an hour children are coming home in the dark and are less able to enjoy the fresh air in the evenings.

This can also interfere with your children's sleep schedules. Although adults and older children usually adapt quiet quickly to the different sleep and get up times, it can be very difficult for smaller children who sleep on their own internal clock.

As we move the clocks back an hour, children used to bed time at 8pm and getting up at 7am, will automatically be sleepy at 7pm and want to be up at 6am. Younger children's sleep schedules are more tied to their internal clocks and when they feel tired or are used to going to sleep, and not to what time a clock says it is. How do you get your child used to daylight saving time? The best way to get round this is to gradually get your child used to his new bedtime. So, even before BST ends, instead of an 8pm bedtime, you might put your child to bed 5-15 minutes later every few days. This way, by the time you move your clock back an hour, your child is already used to going to bed at the 'earlier' time. It can also help to wake your child up a little later each day. So instead of waking him up at the same time he usually wakes up, if you put him to bed a little later, let your child sleep in a little. Also keep nap times regular and at the same adjusted time that he usually takes them.
	If you didn't make a gradual adjustment to your child's sleep schedule, you will likely have a hard time trying to getting them to stay up an hour later. Remember that if you do put them to bed earlier, at the 'time' they are used to going to bed, they will likely wake up an hour earlier the next morning. E.g., Your 18 month old usually sleeps from 8pm to 7am (plus naps). After moving the clock back, she will sleep 7pm to 6am. And you will try to shift back to 8-7. So, try to keep him up until 8pm (or 7:15 pm if you want to take a more gradual approach), and then hopefully she will 'sleep in' until 7am (or 6:15am). She might be a little extra tired and fussy for a few days, but if you don't change the nap time, will be ready for bed later the next night and you will soon be back on the 8pm to 7am schedule.
Many parents make the mistake of letting their children go to sleep early the day after daylight saving time ends. And it is tempting to do this so your child doesn't become sleep deprived. But then your child will likely not be able to go to bed on time the next night and it will just take longer to get back on schedule. If you have an infant that is a night owl, going to sleep at 9 or 10pm despite your best intentions, a shift backwards can actually be helpful. Or if there is no real reason that your child can't wake up 'earlier', then you may not have to change anything.

 To see our full range of clocks click this picture: