Children can make a game of getting out of bed repeatedly, wanting another glass of water, wanting to get tucked in again and making up other excuses in order to avoid staying in bed and falling asleep. Unless parents take control of the situation and adopt strategies to keep the children in bed, the result can be hours of lost sleep for both parents and children. According to the NYU Child Study Center, preschoolers need ten to 12 hours of sleep per night, in addition to a nap. Keeping children, including preschoolers, in bed so they can fall asleep can help them to get the sleep they need before the start of the next day.
Step 1
Make the bedroom and bed conducive to sleep. The room should be dark when it's bedtime, and there should be no lighting or sound distractions. Toys should be put away before bedtime and not be accessible by the child.
Step 2
Decide on a bedtime and stick to it. Children grow accustomed to routines, and having a consistent bedtime will help the child develop a comfort level with the knowledge of what's expected each evening.
Step 3
Adopt a bedtime routine. The bedtime routine should begin early enough before the actual bedtime in order to get everything completed without rushing. The routine should include the usual activities such as putting on pajamas, brushing teeth and going to the bathroom. Additional activities can include reading one book or reading for a certain number of minutes.
Step 4
Put the child in bed when it is bedtime and do not respond to calls or other requests thereafter. Once the child learns that crying or pleading will get a response from the parent, the child will continue to cry or plead. If the child gets out of bed, put him child in back in bed without saying anything.
Step 5
Be persistent. Eventually the child will learn that bedtime antics earn no rewards.
Tips and Warnings
- A security blanket or security plush toy can help reinforce the bedtime routine and make the child feel safe in bed.
