Humans are diurnal. This means that, through evolution, we have developed a day-night rhythm of activity during the day and quiet at night. Both internal ("body clock") factors and external (hours of daylight) play a role, so a change like daylight savings time can influence how both parents and children behave and feel.

Here are a few tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible:

• Focus less on explaining the time change and more on arranging the environment around them.
• Keep routines the same (even if that means having dinner earlier than usual for a few days) to provide a sense of continuity to the child. Gradually adjust schedules to make up the difference in time.
• Parents can expect bedtime and wake up times may be a little more unpredictable for a week or so following the start of Daylight Savings Time. Room-darkening shades that block out the outside light changes can help with the transition.

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