Starting kindergarten is one of the biggest transitions of early childhood. Even children who have spent years in daycare or preschool often find kindergarten far more demanding than parents expect.

In this episode, Allison explains why sleep should be at the top of every parent's back-to-school checklist. She shares how kindergarten differs from preschool, how much sleep most kindergartners actually need, and why a well-rested child is better equipped to learn, regulate emotions, handle separation at drop-off, and enjoy the school day.

Drawing from over a decade of experience as a pediatric sleep coach, Allison walks parents through practical steps for adjusting their child's sleep schedule before school starts and what to expect during those first exhausting weeks (or months) of kindergarten.

She also discusses research linking healthy sleep habits to better academic, emotional, and social outcomes throughout the kindergarten year, along with four common signs that a child isn't getting enough sleep.

If your child is heading to kindergarten this fall, or has already started school, this episode will help you create a sleep plan that sets them up for a smoother, happier school year.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why kindergarten is often a bigger adjustment than daycare or preschool

• How much sleep a 5- to 6-year-old typically needs

• Why many kindergartners benefit from a 7:00 p.m. (or earlier) bedtime

• Four signs your child isn't getting enough sleep

• How sleep impacts learning, memory, emotional regulation, and behavior

• Why sleep deprivation can sometimes mimic ADHD symptoms

• How sleep affects separation anxiety and school drop-offs

• How to shift your child's sleep schedule before school begins

• When to use a rescue bedtime during the first weeks of kindergarten

• Practical strategies to help your child thrive throughout the school year

Resources mentioned:

Episode 105. What Your Child's Kindergarten Teacher Wishes You Knew with Meg Franco

Episode 236. The Rescue Bedtime: What It Is and How to Use It for Overtired Babies and Toddlers

Episode 98. 4 Signs Your Kindergartner Could Benefit From More Sleep

Shopping at Cozy Earth? Use Allison's code SLEEPCOACH for 20% off and be sure to tell them you heard about them from us!

Chapter Markers

02:20 Why kindergarten is a much bigger transition than parents expect

06:20 How much sleep does a kindergartner need?

08:55 Research: How sleep improves kindergarten success

10:10 Sleep, learning, and memory

11:00 Emotional regulation, behavior & ADHD-like symptoms

12:20 Sleep and separation anxiety at school drop-off

13:45 Four signs your kindergartner needs more sleep

16:20 The bedtime "second wind" explained

17:10 How to prepare your child's sleep schedule before school starts

18:45 Rescue bedtimes for the first weeks of kindergarten

20:00 Final tips for a smoother kindergarten transition

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Looking for expert guidance on your child's sleep? Allison offers two free age-specific guides to help you discover how much sleep kids need to thrive—at any age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

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