Toddlers don't have a lot of control over their lives, but they will certainly attempt to exert it whenever possible. Bedtime is one of those times. Going to sleep--just like toilet training and the ABCs--is a learned activity, and parents must partner with their children to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Finding stress-free ways for your child to relax, plus offering rewards for compliance, will go a long way toward giving your child incentives to stay in bed.
Sleep Readiness
Toddlers need between 11 and 13 hours of sleep per day, including a 1- to 2-hour nap, according to the experts at BabyCenter.com. If your toddler took a three-hour nap at 2 p.m. and you try to get him to sleep again at 7 p.m., it's unlikely he'll be tired enough for sleep. A sample schedule for your child would be to awaken at 7 a.m., take a two-hour nap at 1 p.m. and go to bed at 8 p.m. for a total of 13 hours of sleep. Maintain a strict nap and bedtime schedule to make sure your child is tired when it's bedtime.
Relaxing Routine
Toddlers thrive on routine, so establish a bedtime routine and don't stray from it. Help your child put her pajamas on, brush her teeth, watch a short television program with her, read a story together, have hugs and kisses and then turn the lights out. This consistency not only prepares your child for bed but also helps her relax, as she knows what's expected. The University of Michigan Health System suggests dimming lights during your child's bedtime routine, as that signals the brain that it's time for sleep.
Rewards for Successful Sleep
Children love to work for rewards. Create a sleep chart that allows your child to earn small treats if he stays in bed. In the beginning of your sleep program, you may need to reward smaller successes, such as staying in bed for two hours, but you can change the reward system as your child learns to stay in bed.
Consistency
Children will use bedtime as a way to get your attention, so "Supernanny" Jo Frost suggests consistently putting your child back in her bed with little fanfare each and every time she gets up. The first time, you tell her to get back in bed with a little hug; the second time, you're more firm with the direction; and then each new time she gets out of bed, you just take her back. Eventually she'll learn that you are not going to give her attention or playtime, and she will fall asleep.
