Time Change: What Effect On Children? – Being Parents

Daylight savings time changes affect people, although we often don’t notice them. Children are not exempt from this phenomenon. The main problem with the time change is rest and the interruption of its sleep cycle.

Not everyone agrees with the time change. This occurs in most of the countries that experience this phenomenon. Governments claim that this results in significant energy savings. On the other hand, those who question the time change  claim that its benefits are not so obvious. 

Whatever the position, we must all submit to it if we are not to go against the grain of society. Including in children. The modification consists of  delaying the clock during the winter solstice and moving it forward  in summer. This is intended to take better advantage of natural light, among other things.

The problems caused by the time change in children can be corrected within a few days. However, we can notice a slight change in their rhythm of life. We tell you more in this article.

What is the effect of the time change in children?

According to the Spanish Pediatric Association, children are in the age group in which the time change causes the most intense and lasting effects. They can take three to four days or even a week to adapt to these effects.

This phenomenon is explained by the fact that our brain has time regulators which are guided by sunlight.  These are responsible for managing the hours of food and physical activity, among other things.

This change of time produces a certain hormonal disorientation in children. The brain is confused and  needs time to adapt to synchronize “programmed” activities again.

Depending on the age of the child, the problems he will suffer from will be different:

• Infants. They may exhibit changes in mealtimes. It can manifest itself during the day or at night.
• School-aged children. These changes can make it harder for them to wake up in the morning. They may thus suffer from attention and concentration problems during the first days of class after the change.

Lack of sleep can also  affect children’s moods. Do not be surprised if we notice them irritable, tired and in a bad mood during this time.

Tips to mitigate the effects

Faced with the consequences of the time change in children,  specialists recommend acting with anticipation. How is it possible ? Here are some helpful tips.

First of all, it is necessary to carry out “in-depth work” which alleviates the troubles of the time change. In other words, children who are used to a regular rhythm of life adapt more easily to these circumstances. On the other hand, those who do not have fixed hours suffer a little more from these changes.

That’s not all. We can also take care of other details that will make the difference:

• Before the change,  start advancing children’s activities 10 to 15 minutes. The transition will therefore be more gradual.
• Wake up children  with natural light.
• Offer them a good breakfast to recharge their batteries. Dried fruits help older children regulate their circadian rhythm.
• Avoid  daytime naps.
• Perform physical activity to promote better sleep.
• Focus on nighttime habits that contribute to the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Keeping children away from televisions, cell phones and computers during these hours is therefore essential.

• If possible, involve them in relaxing activities such as reading. This will facilitate the onset of sleep.

Finally, be aware that you will need to be patient until the effects of the time change wear off. It is not their fault, it is simply a change that our body is undergoing. Patience and collaboration, they will soon resume their normal life.