Tweaks to get your kids back on school-year sleep schedules

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- It's almost time for kids to go back to school.

So now is the time to start trying to get sleep schedules back on track.

Starting now can save a lot of stress in the future and help kids function better in those first few days of school.

Sleep experts say moving bedtime 15 minutes earlier every few days will help re-set their body clocks.

Try to stick to those times, even on weekends!

Of course, adjusting sleep schedules for teenagers can be a big challenge.

They're wired to be night-owls.

"It's the internal biological rhythm that wants them to stay up late in the night and wake up late during the morning, but due to the social responsibilities and school hours, they have to wake up at a normal time," says Dr. Harneet Walia, a sleep expert at the Cleveland Clinic.

It may also help the transition if you get the family back into a relaxing bedtime routine:

* No electronics for at least half an hour before bed.

* Exercise during the day helps as well.

* And try to keep sleeping areas cool and dark to promote sleep.