Nap time is a sacred time in many households. It's a time to get things done for many busy parents or a time to sit down for a few minutes' peace. For a developing child, sleep is a critical part of their day. While each child's needs vary, nap time benefits some kindergarten children. However, for others, it interferes with nighttime sleep.
Basics
Five-year-olds generally need 10 to 12 hours of sleep, according to experts at BabyCenter.com. Most kindergartners get that rest all in one night's sleep. However, some kindergartners require a nap to avoid becoming overtired and overstimulated. Sleep needs typically increase once your kindergartner starts school, so what was normal during summer break may change once school starts.
Time Frame
At the beginning of the year, when all is new and exciting for your kindergartner, he may need a nap once he gets home from school. Gauge your child's behavior -- if he seems tired and irritable, give him some feet-up-off-the-floor time. If he falls asleep, let him rest. As the year goes on, sleeping may cease, but continue to provide quiet time to help him recover from a busy school day.
Considerations
If your kindergartner naps and then has trouble going to sleep, drop the nap and move bedtime to an earlier hour. It will take a few weeks for her sleep pattern to settle, during which time she may be irritable. But if naps are interfering with nighttime sleep, work the nap out of her routine or make the nap no more than a 30-minute rest.
Expectations
If your child attends full-day kindergarten, his need for sleep may increase even more. An article in "The New York Times" states that kindergarten academic expectations are on the rise. Most children have attended preschool, increasing prereading skills and removing socialization needs that used to be part of a kindergarten year. In addition, curriculum requirements make basic academic principles, such as data gathering and journal writing, a standard part of a kindergarten day. Your child may be significantly fatigued as a result of the education requirements that he is expected to fulfill, making a nap helpful.
