Sleep does not start at bedtime. It is shaped all day long, by movement, sunlight, and time spent outside. A BCBA shares what happened when her own toddler's outdoor play dropped off, and what the research says about why running, climbing, and fresh air matter more than we think.

Vacation changes where your child sleeps, what they do all day, and when bedtime happens — but that doesn't mean their sleep has to unravel. Here's what the research says about which parts of a bedtime routine actually matter, and how a few familiar anchors can support rest without sacrificing the late nights and special memories that make a trip worth taking.