Top tips for bedtime for young kids

To get your kids off their devices and ready for bed, try letting them read to you before bed to help them drift off quicker.

If you find your child gets a bit hyper as soon as you mention bedtime, one thing you can try is a step-count. Counting footsteps on the way to bed can help calm them down and go to sleep easier.

Before bed, help your child read the time and talk about when you’re going to get up. You could help your little sleepyhead work out how many hours sleep they’ll have before they need to rise and shine. You could use a clock face or your fingers to help you count the hours together.

Here’s a tip that can help to teach them the time and (fingers crossed) get them to brush their teeth properly. Just bring your phone or an egg timer to tooth-brushing time. Get them to set the timer for 2 minutes before they start brushing their teeth. Then get them to brush their top teeth for 30 seconds, then their bottom teeth for 30 seconds - and then repeat. Say cheese!