What time should children go to bed?

Every household has different rules, but what time should kids really go to bed?

According to some experts, the answer for parents depends entirely on the person — and many believe it has to do with when they woke up.

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A teacher at a school called Wilson Elementary School introduced others to a chart that gave the exact time parents should have their children ready and in bed.

The clever grid ranged in age from five to 12, showing the different times they should fall asleep depending on when they wake up.

But what was revealed from it? And what do other experts in this field say about when children should go to bed?

1) What time should kids go to bed?

The golden question parents across the country are asking has different answers depending on who you ask.

However, many agree that regular bedtime routines should be established by the time your little ones are around 4 months old.

Sleepsisters.com published his thoughts in a guide that suggested the following:

• Newborns (up to three months) – Babies don’t need a bedtime routine and instead typically sleep at short two-hour intervals during the day and night
• 1-4 months: 8pm-11pm – as babies are still drinking regularly this is the recommended time frame for loading
• 4-8 months: 5:30pm-7:30pm – In addition to regular naps, an earlier bedtime can help babies get the sleep they need for development
• 8-10 months: 5:30-7:00 p.m. – Sleep nurses say bedtime should be no later than 3.5 hours after their second nap, while the time frame is slightly earlier as they likely missed their third nap
• 10-15 months: 6pm-7:30pm – Since babies are less likely to nap, it’s important to schedule bedtime earlier. However, it is important to note that bedtime should be no later than 4 hours after a nap
• 15 months – 3 years: 6:00pm – 7:30pm – Once naps have stopped completely, bedtime should be brought forward
• 3-6 years: 6-8 p.m. – When children stop sleeping, they need an extra hour of sleep per night
• 7-12 years: 7.30pm-9pm – Now your little one is at school, sleep is all the more important
• Teenagers: 9+ – With teenagers, the game is different and the experts say counting backwards from the time it takes them to get up to make sure they’re getting what’s required for their age group

2) How much sleep do children need?

This is another burning question that many moms and dads debate when their kids are little.

And the pros at Sleep.org have helpfully outlined the recommended amount of sleep for each age group, from babies to teenagers.

These are:

• Newborns (up to three months): 14 to 17 hours
• Infant (four to 11 months): 12 to 15 hours
• Infant (one to two): 11 to 14 hours
• Preschoolers (three to five): 10 to 13 hours
• School age (six to 13 years): 9 to 11 hours
• Tweens and Teens (14 to 17): 8 to 10 hours

3) Sleep chart before bedtime by age

According to the sleep chart shared by the likes of first grader Stacy Karlsen, children’s sleep patterns should depend on your child’s age and what time they get up in the morning.

For example, the table states that children aged five should go to bed between 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

If your five-year-old gets up at 6:30 a.m., he’ll be ready for bed by 7:15 p.m.

But if they don’t get up until 7 a.m., they’ll be ready for bed by 7:30 a.m.

On the other hand, an eight-year-old child who wakes up at 6:45 a.m. is ready for bed by 8:15 p.m., while the child of the same age who wakes up later, at 7:30 a.m., is not ready for bed until 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, children aged 11 and 12 should sleep between 8:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

The full table is below.

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