I LOVE naps! I honestly could nap anywhere if you asked me to. Naps are such a great way to rest our bodies and minds, so when we wake up, we feel energized. The same thing goes for early learners. So many of them have to get up early to get to school or are unable to sleep soundly at home, so come midday, they are crashing! That is why most early childhood programs offer nap or rest time.
But what about the students who don’t rest? The ones who are so wound up they can not fall asleep? The ones who, no matter how tired they seem they just seem to fight the sleep? In this blog post, I will share my 5 tips for restless sleepers during nap time.
First things first, if a student does not nap during rest time that is 100% okay. What is not okay is if their activity is affecting the sleep of their classmates who need it. It can also be super frustrating when students don’t rest because generally that is our planning time but don’t worry! I am here to help
- Start with a routine: Many students have a bedtime routine at home. Usually, that includes a bath and a bedtime story. Create a school rest time routine and create a visual for students. Include the typical dim lights and calming music, using the bathroom, etc. But also try adding something to help them take ownership of their own relaxation such as a deep breathing exercise
- Read a social story: A nap time social story can help set the stage for nap time by providing expectations. You can read it aloud as a class or just to the student who seems to be struggling at nap time.
- Provide comfort and care: Sometimes, naptime can be scary. Not all students like the dark, go to sleep and wake up at the same house or even with the same caregiver every night. They might live in a chaotic home or neighborhood where sleep is a vulnerable time. Offer a back rub and a comforting phrase. I like to tell my students, “Goodnight, sleep tight, I will be here when you wake.” Something that simple can put a worried mind at ease.
- Have a designated space: Tape out a box and place the student’s nap mat inside of it. Allow the student to move about the taped-out area during nap time. This way, they can still have some freedom without resting while not disturbing their classmates. This trick has had a high success rate for me. Often, my students will spin and jump around inside the taped-out box, but then eventually lie down on their own terms and fall asleep.
- Provide alternatives: Offer other options within a designated space. This can be errorless file folders, looking at books, or even helping you out! I had one student who loved to rip paper, so during rest tim,e they tore up all of the papers I was going to send to the shredder.
