Naptime for kids and toddlers is the time where you need to wrestle with them just trying to make them nap. They would often throw tantrums or make excuses so that they would not take a nap. You must be looking for ways on how you can negotiate nap time with your kids in a peaceful way.
We have tips on how to send your kids to nap in a gentler and calmer way.
- Give them a light massage.
Admit it or not, a massage can give us a different feeling especially if you are tired. Kids can feel tired too like adults and what can soothe them is a light massage on their back. A light massage is a soothing feeling for kids that makes them relaxed. When they are relaxed they become comfortable and sleepy and you will find them snoozing without any fuss.
- Make naptime look like a nightime.
One of the reasons why kids have difficulty napping is because they know that it’s still day time. Our body is designed to move and be more alert when we know that our surroundings are still bright and sunny. If you are trying to send your kid to nap in the afternoon while the sun is out, make sure that the room is covered and darkened. Mimicking the dark can make a child to easily doze off and take the time to take a nap.
- Make naptime a quiet time.
Naptime shouldn’t be a silent one, but you can have the volume of any music set to low. Noise or a loud voice can distract a kid from taking a nap. It is a good practice to lower down the volume and even the voice when talking. Low volume can be soothing to the ears and not distracting. Once a kid will not hear any noise or loud voice, it will be easier for them to take a nap.
- Use meditation or storytime apps.
One of the oldest tricks in the bag is telling stories to children before they go to sleep. There are plenty of apps available online and they are helpful for you as a parent if you are trying to send your kid to sleep. There are also bedtime stories that kids can listen to to make them sleep.
- Take a drive.
Driving can be tiring to the eyes, even if you are only a passenger. If you are up to it, you can bring your kid along for a drive and they can easily doze off. Although this is not a guarantee to work for every child, most of the time kids who are in a long drive tend to doze off easier.
- Reward your kid for napping.
One of the easiest ways to negotiate a child is through rewards. You can offer your kid a reward if they will take a nap or have a quiet time. Rewards are motivations for kids and when they know that they will be rewarded for a good deed, it is easier for them to negotiate and understand why they need to take a nap.
- Know when their naps are done.
A nap is the time for a kid to rest and relax. A nap should only take an hour or two a day. You should know when a kid needs a nap and a sleep. Naps are shorter, so you should know when to wake your kid from a nap and give them a longer time to sleep at night. A nap is enough when you think your child has had ample time to sleep and rest for the day.
Many parents struggle to send their kids to take a nap. Some kids do not want to take a nap because they would rather play than take a rest. If you know how to handle the situation and your child, it will be easier for you to tell them to nap and easier for them to take that nap. Taking a nap is important to growing kids especially that they are still growing continuously.