4 Yr Old Nap Time

My son (almost 5) has "quiet time" every day. In the beginning it was hard for him to stay in the room also but now he does pretty good. We let him have books so he can read/look at the pictures during. Also, he goes to the bathroom & "gets it all out" before quiet time even starts so that is not an issue. He has a cup of water near the bed so that eliminates the "I want a drink" issue. As far as staying there - if he comes out of the room he gets another couple of minutes added on to the total time or he can choose to stand in the corner or loose his book priviledges. For us it is absolutely necessary for him to take quiet time since our daughter still naps & I'm pregnant & can use the rest! I have stressed to him how important it is to let our body rest & he seems to be good with that. Another thing we do is let him know the time he can come out - if he goes in at 1:15 the I tell him "At 2:15, when the clock says 215; you can come out. Do not come out before then or you will loose your books." This way he is responsible for it & it makes him feel like a big boy. Hope you find a way that helps!

My daughter was 4 in December...she does not like to be in any room by herself at any time. I usually get her into her bed (or at work, on her nap mat, since she goes to work with me) and I'll read her a bedtime story, pat/rub her back for a few minutes and just stay nearby til she's sleeping. Once she's out she will take a 2-3 hr nap.

baby gate in the doorway i have heard many moms use this

I love the other answer you got, lots of great ideas. I also thought I would suggest putting a gate up in her doorway and then leaving her door open. That way she won't feel so closed off maybe from everybody else but still have a 'door' there in a way. Good luck.

My son had toys (ex. train set & cars) and books and most of the time would lay down by himself. We turned his door knob around and locked him in so if he read aloud or made to much noise the baby and I were not woke up. They are now 3 and 6 and we still have the door lock to the hall and once in a while they "take a break" instead of timeout. It does wonders to recharge the brain with some alone time.
Keep smiling...
T.