How to Wear Out Your Toddler for Nap Time
Outdoor and Indoor Activities to Exhaust the Under Five
Oct 11, 2009
Toddlers are full of energy! Even though toddlers from about 18 months to 4 years old need anywhere from 12-14 hours of sleep per day many toddlers resist nap time. The easiest way to wear out your under five toddler is to provide fully active indoor and outdoor activities.
Nap Resistance
Anywhere from 12 months onward, your toddler may decide that playtime is more fun than nap time. In the article, "How to Help Your Toddler Nap" by Nitza Wilson from Parenting.com, naps are a vital component of your child's cognitive and physical development.
Sleep expects, such as Dr. Marc Weissbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Children [Ballantine, 1999] suggest ways to overcome nap resistance including:
- Creating a nap time routine
- Relaxing with a book before nap time
- Putting your child down for a nap in the same place they sleep at night
- Try naps after the lunch hour, but not late enough to interfere with night time sleep.
Be sure you tell your toddler when nap time is approaching. You may choose to put away toys, watch a quiet movie, or even take a midday bath to help your little one settle in for the afternoon. Be sure to keep the temperature on the cooler side and if noise levels are an issue, try a noisemaker or a fan to block out traffic or noise from other children.
Get Your Toddler Moving!
Establishing a nap routine may be the first step to nap time success. But, if you find you still have problems with nap resistance – your toddlers level of outdoor and indoor activities may be an issue.
Outdoor Activities
Today, kids spend more and more time indoors on sedentary activities such as watching television. To wear out your active toddler, your under five year old needs at least four hours of fresh air and active activities. To exhaust your toddler and prepare for nap time – kick your toddlers activities into high gear with:
- Running
- Jumping
- Walking
- Climbing
Varying these activities is a great way to wear out a toddler. For example, take an after breakfast walk around the block. On the way home, run a bit ahead of your toddler and see if he can catch up with you. Later in the morning, backyard play or park play is a great way to get your child jumping, climbing and running. Toddlers enjoy modified versions of:
- Tag
- Catch
- Kick Ball
- Hide and Seek
Indoor Activities
If you can't make it outside, many outdoor activities can be modified for safe, indoor active play. But, try indoor activities that you will both enjoy. Let your toddler help you cook and find ingredients or pots and pans in the cabinets. Or, play clean up. Encourage your toddler to throw trash in the garbage can, put toys in his toy box, clothing into drawers and give him a mop and a broom to help sweep up. It may take longer to clean the kitchen, but your toddler will be ready to rest after a full morning of mopping, dusting, sweeping and laundry.
Wear Out Your Toddler for Nap Time
Parents tend to give up on nap time when their under five toddler begins resisting nap time. However, while your toddler may not want to sleep, he may need it for his developmental growth. When nap time routines aren't working, it may be time to step up your toddlers physical activity with fun outdoor and indoor play.
To wear out your toddler for nap time, exhaust him with several hours of fun outdoor activities. Having trouble keeping up with your toddler? Start out slow. Go to the park or zoo where your toddler can run freely and you can take park bench breathers!
No outdoor space? No problem, there are many ways to get your toddler moving indoors. Include him in your daily chores. Or, enroll him in a child's baby gym such as Gymboree.
Finally, there is no better way for your child to exhaust himself for nap time than a playdate with another toddler! Get together with baby friends a few times per week.
*NOTE: Always consult your pediatrician if you child is having major sleep issues and use safety precautions while engaging in outdoor play.
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