Naps for Preschoolers
How to Deal with Your Child’s Changing Sleep Schedule
Nap is a word that holds so much power for the parents of infants through preschoolers. For many, the thought of a child giving up his nap is simply overwhelming. So, when is it a good time to let your child let go of the beloved nap time? How can you be sure that your child is ready to forego the midday break and still get enough rest?
Lack of Sleep
Sleep, in general, is an issue that parents are concerned about for their young ones. That concern is completely valid. Research by the National Sleep Foundation shows that even the youngest members of families, children under 5, are not getting enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation , “preschoolers get 10.4 hours, while it’s recommended that children 3-5 years of age should average 11-13.” Poor sleep can lead to lack of concentration, poor nutrition, and poor behavior. It is important to make sure that your child is getting the appropriate number of hours of sleep per day.
If your preschooler is attempting to give up his nap, you may need to evaluate some things before you give him the go ahead. How many hours is he sleeping at night? If your child is sleeping less than the recommended minimum of 11 hours, you may want to at least provide a quiet time and allow your child to rest even if he doesn’t actually fall asleep. The experts at KidsHealth suggest that you may also want to evaluate the child’s behavior: is he cranky, hard to get out of bed in the morning, having a hard time concentrating, or feeling drowsy throughout the day? If so, inadequate sleep could be to blame.
Adjust Sleep Schedule
Before allowing your child’s nap to be a thing of the past, try playing with his schedule. Make sure that you have a solid routine for settling him down before the nap such as eating lunch and reading some stories.
You will also need to be sure that the nap is at the right time. Too early may make it difficult for your child to rest, and too late may make bedtime a battle. Play with the schedule to see if you can help your child get the sleep he needs. If not, resting for an hour quietly in his room may be just enough of a break for everyone. When you finally find that the time has come and the nap must go, try moving the bedtime up, so that his sleep and your sanity don’t suffer.
References:
"The Sleep Of America’s Children”. National Sleep Foundation. (2007).Retrieved August 1, 2008
“Naps”. KidsHealth. (2006). Retrieved August 1, 2008.
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