Getting your child on a sleep schedule

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - With most schools getting ready for students next week, it's time for students - and parents - to get into a sleep routine that works.

Start by trying to change your child's sleep schedule by moving their bedtime up 30 minutes a night until the bedtime works for them, suggests Dr. John Schuen of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Take the technology, TVs and video games out of your child's bedroom, and eliminate and limit big meals and caffeine near bedtime, or at least a few hours before bed.

Here are some more tips:

• Avoid sleep extremes on weekends
• Practice peaceful mind exercise
• Encourage kids to journal before bedtime
• Make sleep a priority
• Model good sleep habits