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Lights Out!
Getting Your Preschooler to Bed By P. Christine Smith
Georgia Pheras had to get creative, too, when Cole suddenly became concerned about monsters under his bed. "We gave him a flashlight and we'd examine the whole room before bedtime, showing Cole that no monsters were there!" she says.
Daytime Naps
Should daytime naps be eliminated if the child is not sleepy at bedtime? "No," says Hahn. "I feel very strongly that children need naps until they are 5 years old. At school we shorten the nap time for pre-kindergarteners, but up until the age of 5, children need a nap time, even if they do not sleep." According to Hahn, eliminating the nap may make them wound up and unable to relax at bedtime, if they get into a pattern of go, go, go all day. She also suggests using the rest period as a time for children to use their imaginations. Hahn refers to the time as "white space." Naptime is the perfect time for children to investigate the inner workings of their minds. While establishing a bedtime ritual might seem easier said than done, children thrive on routine and will eventually accept it if offered. The initial resistance can be overcome within a matter of days, if the parent remains calm and firm. A regular nap and bedtime schedule will result in happier, healthier preschoolers and peaceful evenings for the entire family.