What time should my child go to bed?

Your child's bedtime should be based on their required wake-up time and age-appropriate sleep needs. Start with the time they must wake for school or daycare, then count backward by the number of hours they need. For example, a 7-year-old who needs about 10 hours of sleep and must wake at 7:00 a.m. should ideally be asleep by around 9:00 p.m. Bedtime should begin earlier to allow time for the child to settle and fall asleep. Naps, activity levels and individual sleep needs may affect the schedule. A consistent bedtime is usually more important than choosing one universal clock time. If your child struggles to wake or appears tired during the day, try moving bedtime earlier by 15 minutes.