Preschoolers sleep around 10-12 hours per day. Proper rest is vitally important to help kids stay healthy, have better behavior during the day and perform well at school. Establishing bedtime routines is a great way to ensure your preschooler has enough rest. Here are some tips:
- Set fixed times for going to bed, waking up and taking naps
- Stick to routines by alerting your child 30 minutes and then 10 minutes before bedtimes
- Provide a winding down period 30 minutes before that does not involve the television but a quiet activity such as reading or snuggling in a rocking chair
- Make the bedroom a quiet, cozy place that is conducive to sleeping, not playing or watching TV.
- Limit food or drink before bed and avoid caffeinated beverages.
- Although some preschoolers no longer nap during the day, it is still important to have a “quiet time” usually in the afternoon so they can relax and slow down for a while. If your child does nap, make sure the nap is not too long as to effect your child’s bedtime (usually a 1 hour nap is sufficient)