Napping Strategies for Preschoolers
- A nap does not have to take place in the child's bed.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Preschool children respond well to routine, and if you can stick to a set time for napping, the child will soon learn to accept the nap as part of their daily life. It is important that whatever time you choose, you have at least 10 minutes of quiet time prior to the nap to help relax and settle the child. Television before the nap is not recommended, because it stimulates the mind and can make the child restless at naptime. The child does not have to sleep in his own bed, but can sleep on his own special napping mat, in your own bed or on the sofa. - Special napping soft toys can help encourage sleep.David De Lossy/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Do not play games with the child; over stimulation can excite the child, making it difficult to sleep. Instead, play soft music to help the child relax. Noise such as an electric fan, directed away from the child, also encourages sleep. Using a special nap teddy bear or doll, which is only used for naptimes, can also help sensitive children settle and give them comfort.
You can also mix a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile, into a bowl of water and place it out of reach in the napping room. The smell has a calming and soothing effect on children and can help them nap. - Some preschool children simply refuse to take a nap. For those who become cranky and over-tired in the afternoon, it can be a difficult time for both the child, and the parents or caretakers. You should not make the nap a punishment or criticize the child for not napping.
If the naptime routine does not work, look at other factors that might be affecting the nap. Look at the child's diet -- too much sugar can cause napping problems for some children. The napping room might be too bright or too noisy with traffic or other people keeping the child awake. Try a different time, perhaps in the early afternoon. - Rest time is a useful technique for children who do not nap.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Some child sleep experts, such as Gina Ford, believe that some preschool simply do not require a nap, and if all attempts to encourage a child to nap fail, and the child does not appear tired, the parent or caretaker should instead insist on a "rest time" at a set time each day. The child should be left alone in a quiet room in the house and encouraged to read, rest in bed, listen to music or engage in quiet activities like jigsaw puzzles.
