How to Establish Quiet Time for Kids Who No Longer Nap

Let your child get used to some quiet time.

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.

Things You'll Need

• Patience and Consistency

Instructions

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 bathroom, taken a sip of water and completed any other activity he 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 10-minute start time is optimal. Simply tell the child he is going to spend some quiet time in his room and does not have to take a nap, but gets to play on his bed or look at books. If he gives you a hard time, put a portable timer in the room and let him know that as soon as the timer beeps, he may come out and the two of you will make a snack, read a book or play a game. Once the child is able to handle 10 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 after a typical round of activities. A good time is after lunch when her belly is full and she already has had an active morning. Consistency is key; try not to skip quiet time for the first few weeks. Get her used to the schedule, and before long you will see her clear her lunch plates and head to her rooms without being asked.

4. Be part of the process. Start quiet time by reading a book to your child, singing with her, or playing toys with her briefly on the bed. Give her 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 her settled will help to avoid her "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 him to stay in his room by pulling out something special he hasn'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 he has completed his 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 he only spent one minute alone. The point here is not to make him stay for the full time, but to train him to incorporate quiet time into the schedule. You can worry about increasing the time later.

References

• Parenting: Ask Dr. Sears: No Longer Needs a Nap?
• Parenting: 3 Ways to Get Kids Down for Quiet Time; Cecily O'Connor