Getting a six year old to sleep longer

[belindarose]

Any ideas please?

DD is constantly tired, often grumpy and, I don't think, functioning as well as she should in school. At home she's always 'too tired' to read.

She goes to sleep well, usually, at about 7.30 or a bit later (never later than 8). Has always been an early riser but also shares a room with her 3 year old brother. Whoever wakes first invariably wakes the other one.

There is no possibility of not sharing a room. Neither of them will sleep with us (co sleeping was always a disaster, even as babies). If I get DS up so as not to disturb DD, she's really jealous and has to come downstairs too, so doesn't get any extra sleep.

Is there something glaringly obvious I've missed? They have a gro clock set for 6.30 on a school day but are often awake before this. They know not to get up but are still awake and talking. It's usually the little one who wakes the big one, but he's asleep sooner and can still nap in the day if he wants.

How much sunlight do they get on their skin in the day time? (weather allowing) Sunlight in the day and darkness in the evening help.
Also not having any TV for 2 hours before lights out, and keeping all lighting dim in the hour before lights out i.e. during bath time.
Might some white noise generation in their room help?

If it's the little one waking the big one then I'd put them to bed later to try and get him to sleep later. Or put bigger to sleep earlier.

If you're happy with the hours younger dc is sleeping at night then I would be inclined to put the older one to bed at same time with little one if he is going earlier. Bring bedtime right forward to 6.30pm to see if it makes a difference. You might want to do this gradually over a few nights. With putting to bed later you run the risk of making both tired if they still get up early.

Second the suggestion of no tv and white noise too.

Plenty of sunlight most days. If there is any!

Later bedtimes don't work for these two. Earlier for the big one might help.

I'll try to reduce the tv I guess. It goes off at 5 or 5.30 for tea and then doesn't go back on again. Usually big one uses a spelling or maths app on the iPad while I'm doing little one's storytime though.

This morning (we're away) I was able to get 3 year old out as soon as he woke up and 6 year old hasn't woken. Very late grandma night last night though! I could teach little one to come out without disturbing his sister somehow. I'm happy with his amount of sleep.

Put to bed later so DC wakes later?

Blackout curtains!

Will be helpful to read about Melatonin.