Dear Mommas,
My almost 3 YO loves pre-school. He comes home and most days will refuse to nap even tho he is tired. We thus spend most of the day hanging out reading, games etc as he is too tired to go to the playground etc....
How can I encourage him to take his nap again. One that he does need....
Thanks, Jilly
Try putting him to bed earlier tonight. Oddly enough a well rested child has an easier time getting to sleep.
Tell him that he doesn't have to nap, but he does have to rest. Have him stay in his bed and look at books if he wants to, but he has to lay down in a dim room and rest.More than likely he will fall asleep on his own. If he doesn't the rest should be enough to recharge him.
Good luck!
I was planning to say exactly what Julie K said : )
Have him lay in his bed and make sure it is dark and quiet in there, eventually he will fall asleep if he is truly tired. Remember he is the child and you are the adult and know best.
Either an hour or 2 of quiet time, or an earlier bedtime should help. Good luck!
This is why toddlers and preschoolers make parents a bit crazy: Because we cannot force (or even persuade) another human being to sleep or to poop in the toilet, no matter how much we as adults know they need to do both!
You can't force him to sleep but he can have what we used to call "quiet time" at a set time each afternoon, when he has to be in his room and quiet. He can look at books (the best option). Keep the lights fairly dim. If soft music gets him sleepy, put that on. And he can't come out until quiet time is over. Be sure to keep the rest of the house quiet too -- turn off the phone and leave the TV off for yourself. He might fall asleep but might not, but either way it does help teach him how to be alone without calling for you and how to entertain himself without a TV or video game etc. Very important skills!
Between age two and three we took a drive each day after lunch and my daughter napped then, because she had given up naps at home. But when she turned three we went to quiet time and a little earlier bedtime and that seemed to work.
you don't encourage you make him lay down and watch tv garantee the sleep will come but you will have to make him lay still. NO encouraging just make him do it against his will.
