Adjust Kids' Sleep Habits For School

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There is no avoiding it for kids -- school is underway. One of the biggest battles this time of year is making sure children get enough sleep. This is where parents need to step in.

Many children are used to the summer schedule and staying up late. The problem is that they can't sleep late the next morning and it is very easy to get into a sleep debt. That is where not only the hours of sleep but the hours of quality sleep are not achieved.

I am not saying it's going to be easy but for the next couple of weeks make every attempt to have your children get to bed earlier. If you don't like the kids sleeping late on the weekends you might want to give them a break for the next couple of weeks and let them have a few extra hours on those days. Things will even out soon enough but it's important that they get a good start.

The second crucial step is to make certain they don't leave the house without eating a good breakfast. Sleep and nutrition are two of the most important contributors to a good start for the school year.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor