How do I calculate the best bedtime for my child?

First, identify the time your child needs to wake up. Next, use the recommended daily sleep range for their age. Count backward from the wake-up time by the number of hours they usually need. Then allow an additional 15 to 30 minutes for falling asleep. For example, if a 9-year-old must wake at 6:30 a.m. and needs about 10 hours of sleep, they should be asleep by approximately 8:30 p.m. Their bedtime routine might therefore begin around 8:00 p.m. If your child still naps, include that sleep when calculating their 24-hour total. Adjust the schedule according to how easily they wake, their daytime behavior and whether they regularly fall asleep within a reasonable time.