How to Establish Quiet Time for Kids Who No Longer Nap

All experienced parents know about that dreaded day when a toddler or preschooler no longer takes a nap. It is difficult to get through this transition, especially for parents who looked forward to a break and some alone time. However, all is not lost. Children can be trained to spend some quiet time on their own each day. Your break may not be hours long as it used to be, but there is no reason that a preschooler can’t spend a half hour to forty-five minutes alone in their room using their imagination, relaxation skills, and patience.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience and Consistency

1. 

   Front Load: Frontloading is a business term that basically means troubleshooting any potential problems before a project is begun. In the spirit of frontloading, make sure your child has visited the restroom, has taken a sip of water, and has completed any other type of activity they may later use as an excuse to leave quiet time.

2. 

   Time It: When dealing with a small child who has given up a nap, you must start small. A five to ten minute start time is optimal. Simply tell the child that they are going to spend some quiet time in their room and they do not have to take a nap, but get to play on their bed or look at books. If they give you a hard time, put a portable timer in their room and let them know that as soon as the timer beeps, they may come out and the two of you will make a snack, read a book, play a game, etc. Once the child is able to handle ten minutes, begin increasing the time each day or week.

3. Stick to the Schedule: It is best if this quiet time occurs at the same time each day and after a typical round of activities. A good time is after lunch when their bellies are full and they have already had an active morning. Consistency is key here; try not to skip quiet time for the first few weeks. It is important to get them used to the schedule and before long you will see them clear their lunch plates and head to their rooms without being asked.

4. 

   Be a Part of the Process: Start quiet time by reading a book to your child, singing with them, or playing toys with them briefly on their bed. Give them a countdown warning such as, “In one minute, I am going to be all finished and you are going to do quiet time by yourself.” The few minutes you spend getting them settled will help to avoid them “wanting you” later.

5. 

   Select Exciting Toys: Keep a stash of special toys put away during the rest of the day. Then, when quiet time comes, you can tempt them to stay in their rooms by pulling out something special that they haven’t seen in a while.

6. 

   Be Flexible: Children of this age do not usually know how to tell time. If your little one is attempting to come out before the timer sounds, pretend that they have completed their quiet time by saying, “Hey, quiet time is over! How did you know? Great job. We’ll do this again tomorrow!” in your cheeriest voice. Do this in the beginning even if they only spent one minute alone. The point here is not to make them stay for the full time, but to train them to incorporate quiet time into their schedules. You can worry about increasing the time later.

[janeeyre]

on 2/7/2009 Great tips, moms need that quiet time as much, or more than the preschooler.

[momaloy]

on 12/9/2008 These are FANTASTIC tips. I was so sad when my oldest stopped napping. "Frontloading" (as it relates to children) is going into my daily-use vocab.