New Horizon Academy Child Care - Family Connections

On the Road to Parenting

Help! My preschooler will not stay in bed at bedtime. I am looking for ideas on how to help her stay in bed.
You thought once you had your infant child sleeping through the night, you too would be able to get a good night sleep. However, your three year old has another plan. Do you fight with your child just to get her to go to bed or to stay in bed? Here are a few pointers that may help:
• Make bedtime a priority, not a chaotic time in the house. A bedtime routine is just as important as a daily schedule. Prior to bedtime, keep activities calm and predictable, such as bathing, brushing teeth, and listening to a good night story. You may need to start your bedtime routine 30 to 45 minutes before actual bedtime.
• Experiment with different activities to see which work best; each child is different. Try soft music, a favorite stuffed animal, a blanket, or a night light. Keep the TV and noisy toys out of the child’s room so she is not tempted to get up and ‘play’.
• Do not let bedtime become a power struggle. Once your child is snuggled in bed, remind her there is no reason for her to get out of bed. If she does get up, promptly return her to bed, over and over again, no matter how long it takes. Be persistent!! There is no debating or arguing. No compromise. Remember, you are the parent!
• State your expectations and stick to them!!!
• Make sure your child is getting enough sleep. It is recommended toddlers (ages 1 to 3) receive 12 to 14 hours; preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) 11 to 13 hours; and school-age children (ages 5 to 10) 10 to 11 hours.
• If she does not seem tired at bedtime, you may want to consider eliminating naps during the day or at least try shortening them.

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