Health Watch is a public service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.

This week on Health Watch, we're talking about getting ready to go back to school. During summer vacation, kids often enjoy staying up late and sleeping late in the morning. That can lead to some morning — and evening —battles once school starts. Kids may start the school year in a state similar to jet lag.

To make school mornings easier for everyone, start adjusting to the new schedule at least a few days before school starts. But Dr. John Herman, a pediatric sleep expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says don't make the adjustment by changing bedtime. Instead, change wake-up times. The child may be a little drowsy the first day or so, but then it will be easier to go to bed earlier on following nights. A child who's just sent to bed earlier may only lie staring at the ceiling for a while, which means his schedule won't adjust.

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August 2006

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