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Sleep and Pre-Schoolers

Sleep helps kids grow strong and healthy. Preschoolers typically sleep about 10 to 12 hours during each 24-hour period, but there's no reason to be rigid about which 10 to 12 hours these are. At this stage, the important thing is to help your child develop good habits for getting to sleep.

Establishing a Bedtime Routine
A bedtime routine is a great way to ensure that your preschooler gets enough sleep. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you're setting up that routine:

* Include a winding-down period during the half hour before bedtime.
* Stick to a bedtime, alerting your child both half an hour and 10 minutes beforehand.
* Set fixed times for going to bed, waking up, and taking naps.
* Keep consistent playtimes and mealtimes.
* Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine, near bedtime.
* Make the bedroom quiet, cozy, and conducive to sleeping.
* Use the bed only for sleeping - not for playing or watching TV.
* Limit food and drink before bedtime.
* Allow your child to choose which pajamas to wear, which stuffed animal to take to bed, etc.
* Consider playing soft, soothing music.
* Tuck your child into bed snugly for a feeling of security.
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