Naps and Sleep Support

Many years ago, while driving across the country, my brother-in-law called me from his car ahead of me (we were in a caravan). He had a young toddler at home and he said that he was so tired, that he finally understood why his daughter would just stop moving and start crying when she was tired. He said he was so exhausted that he could just start crying, too! 

Have you ever felt so tired that you could barely function? Pouring orange juice in your coffee, watering your plants with milk... As adults, we need sleep, but we sometimes forget that our little ones need plenty of sleep, too! Those tantrums, excessive crying, and dysregulated emotions? You may think this is normal toddler behavior, but it could be the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) both recommend that toddlers get between 10-14 hours of sleep each day, including naps. Too little sleep is associated with attention, behavior, and learning issues. Lack of sleep also increases the risk of accidents, injuries, hypertension, obesity, and depression.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS TIRED?

Like many toddlers, when my little one gets tired, she attempts to fight/mask her sleepiness with a burst of energy. When we are out past her bedtime and this happens, almost everyone remarks with”oh, I can’t believe she’s so energized!” or “wow! She’s not even remotely tired!” But, this is a common misconception. That sudden burst of energy is really a cry for more sleep.

My little one, like many children, has serious FOMO and doesn't want to miss a thing. So, when children are tired, they dig deep to find the energy to stay awake. And then, when it’s time for bed, they're so overtired that they have trouble calming down at a decent hour. Continuing this cycle can lead to serious sleep deprivation in your little one. 

HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD GET BETTER SLEEP?

Many parents have remarked that they are unable to get their children to sleep or nap, so I’ve compiled a few tips to support this end:

• Keep nap times consistent

• Have a naptime routine; similar to a (shortened) bedtime routine

• Create a comfortable space (cool and dark)

• Be patient and consistent (they may not go to sleep the first few days)

• Consider the use of white noise to limit distractions

Consistency is key. You can CLICK HERE to read my blog post on the importance of schedules and routines. 

HOW DOES MONTESSORI AND OCMS TREAT SLEEP AND NAP?

Dr. Montessori did not believe in forcing children to sleep, though I do believe she would support helping children learn when they need to sleep. Additionally, our liberatory educational practices here at OCMS encourage rest and relaxation as a form of resistance from the US “grind culture”.

Our school does not require children to sleep, but we do require a rest period when most children choose to sleep. We have consistent routines that encourage rest and provides an opportunity for your little one’s brain to transfer their learning from short-term to long-term memory. 

So, what’s your view on sleep? How important is it to you and your family?