How can I help my toddler or preschooler follow directions at bedtime? Toddlers and preschoolers can have a tough time listening and following directions at bedtime – regardless of how easy it is for them to do those things during the day. This is often because everyone is tired at bedtime. [...]
How can sleep help him during the day? A good night’s sleep is important for children at every age, but especially during the preschool years when children are learning early reading, math, and play skills that are important for transitioning to kindergarten. When your little one is sleeping, his [...]
How does sleep affect attention and learning? Good sleep is critical for helping little ones maintain their attention and focus throughout the day, and for helping children to regulate their emotions and their behavior. For little ones, who are just starting to learn how to control their behavior [...]
How do I transition my child from a crib to a bed? Think about whether or not your little one is ready to go into a bed. Some toddlers simply are not ready for the imaginary boundaries of a bed. We typically recommend waiting until little ones are about 3-years-old before you transition to a bed as [...]
How can I help my preschooler fall asleep? Start by having a great bedtime routine – choose two to four activities that you can do each night that move in the direction of the bedroom. Another trick is to save a favorite quiet time activity for the end of the routine so it’s the last thing he [...]
How much should my preschooler be sleeping? Sleep varies quite a bit for children 2- to 5-years-old. And it can be tricky to figure out just how much sleep your little one needs. Overall, preschoolers probably need between 10 and 13 hours of sleep per day (across the naps and overnight sleep). Some [...]
How can I get my preschooler to wake up later? Many little ones wake up early! Install a good morning light, or even easier, a nightlight on a timer, to teach them when it is ok to call for you and start the day. Set it to turn on at 6:00 a.m. and tell your little one that is when it’s time to [...]