Kids between 3 and 5 need anywhere from 10 to 13 hours of sleep every night. Some may also take an hour-long nap during the day. Kids in preschool may need a little while to calm down and fall asleep. That’s because they still think about the day even when asleep. A good bedtime routine is important for preschoolers to feel ready for bed. This is especially true if the routine is followed every night, even on the weekends.
Many preschoolers have trouble sleeping, even though studies show that getting enough good sleep is very important for kids. Parents and caretakers of kids in an after school program in Olney, MD, know how frustrating it is to see them have trouble going to sleep. Establishing a bedtime routine is one of the best ways to help your child sleep well. The good news is that your child’s sleep will improve after just a few nights of sticking to a plan.
A regular, repetitive sequence of activities completed each night before bed is known as a bedtime routine. They assist your child in winding down and relaxing, which helps them get ready for sleep. In addition to providing your child with a sense of security, a regular schedule helps them sleep independently.
According to research, children who adhere to their bedtime habits are more likely to go to bed earlier, fall asleep faster, and wake up less during the night. Children who adhere to nighttime routines continue to benefit from improved sleep quality.
Routines for bedtime help your child sleep better, teach them self-care, and help them develop working memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities. They may also aid in enhancing mood, stress levels, and behavior. They also promote parent-child bonding.
These advantages result in improved social skills, academic achievement, and preparedness for school. On the other hand, adolescents who lack a regular bedtime routine are more prone to experience sleep issues and gain weight. Establishing a regular sleep routine for your infant early on facilitates the maintenance of healthy behaviors as they get older.
Professionals working in an Olney child care center say that a regular bedtime routine and a cool, quiet, and cozy bedroom can help your kid sleep well. Going to the bathroom, putting on clothes, brushing your teeth, and reading a book might be some of the things you do to relax. At least an hour before bed, turn off all screens. Also, don’t bring TVs, computers, tablets, phones, or video games into the bedroom.
Make sure the bedroom is calm and quiet. Tell your kid they can sleep with any toy or blanket they want. If your kid is scared of the dark, turn on a nightlight. You shouldn’t lie down with your child or let them fall asleep elsewhere. Kids might have trouble going to sleep by themselves because of this. During the day, make sure your kid plays outside a lot. This might help kids sleep better.
One of the goals of sleep training preschoolers is to teach them how to calm down and fall asleep without them getting out of bed every few minutes. You might also teach your child how to fall back asleep on her own if she wakes up in the middle of the night.
To put it another way, sleep training is a general name for a process that aims to gradually let go of your role in helping your preschooler settle down in bed and fall asleep. Not every method of sleep training will work for every child. You and your child may like one method more than another.
You might need to try a few different methods, but if you stay calm and steady, you’ll eventually be able to get your preschooler to sleep.
Many preschoolers don’t want to go to sleep, and many wake up in the middle of the night. Lots of kids in preschool may have dreams or night terrors, and some nights, they just can’t fall asleep. Kids can feel safer having a nightlight, their favorite blanket, and a toy animal to sleep with.
If your child wakes up in the middle of the night and calls for you, tell them everything is fine, and it’s time to sleep. Turn down the lights and speak softly. The goal is to comfort your child without giving her too much attention when she cries. In the beginning, you might have to go over and talk to her, but over time, you’ll be able to comfort your child from the door.
You may also have to deal with your preschooler getting out of bed if they have a big kid bed. Make it clear that you have to stay in bed. If your preschooler does get out of bed, experts say not to make a fuss but to gently tell her that she needs to go back to sleep. She must go to bed again if she doesn’t do it alone. Don’t say anything else. After that, leave and shut the door. Don’t act like you’re mad or stressed. Keep your word and be strong. Your little one will learn that getting out of bed doesn’t lead to any fun over time.
It won’t be easy to teach your child how to calm down and fall asleep on their own. That will take time. Preschooler sleep training can be hard on both you and your child. But remember that your child needs to have good sleep habits, and if you stick to your routine even when it’s hard, you’ll soon have calmer nights. Remember, regularity is key in sleep training, so stick to it once you choose a method. Experts in child care in Olney, MD, say that in about a week, your child should fall asleep on their own and get a better night’s rest.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.