At what age should I stop allowing my son to take an afternoon nap?

Question

My son just turned 3 years, and it seems like when I put him oin his bed at nap time on mondays he just lays up in his bed and talks to him self or plays with his toy that stays in his bed. He goes to bed great at time all week long.

Answer 1

An afternoon nap is something that your son will stop when he is ready to. Usually at school age when an early bedtime is necessary, afternoon naps will naturally stop. Some kids are ready at 3 for no naps, but most are in the 4-5 age range.

Answer 2

At LEAST give your child quiet time, I'm 29 and still have a nap time occasionally. I have my nephew and daughter (both 6 years old) have a quiet time, they can rest on their beds, color quietly, watch a movie with the volume down or just take a snooze. They have this for about an 1 or 1 1\2 hours. Even after this, they have to be quiet, unless they are outside with my husband, since I have a 3 month old daughter that takes 3 hour naps in the afternoon. I would suggest that, just a quiet time for an hour or two, he doesn't have to go to sleep, but he has to entertain himself quietly.

Answer 3

My 3 yo son does this too, except for him this occurs on Thursday and Friday, like he has been too well rested all week or something. He won't nap on those two days and depending on what is going on that weekend he might not sleep then either, so all in all he only naps a few days a week. I also have a 4 1/2 yo in my daycare who only naps a couple times a week. It's frustrating sometimes, but I think it's just his way of starting to phase naps out.

Answer 4

I wish my kids still wanted to take naps. I miss that hour of blisful quite! (and yes i would dose off too) My kids are 5y 4y &3y they still at times will lay down for a nap i just dont force the issue anymore. they stoped actually sleeping during nap time around 1 1/2 to 2 years old. but like i said every once in a while all will go quite and i go see what they are up to because quite with 3 boys is not often good news lol and find one or two of them cuddled up asleep. all on their own. (the fact that they dont nap anymore is a problem with school cause pre k and kindergarden require them to nap for an hour during school and since i let mine get out of the habit so early they always get into trouble at nap time at school)
so my advice would be to keep up the one hour quite time in the afternoons so nap time at school wont stress him.

Answer 5

Keep putting him down for that nap, even if he doesn't go to sleep at least he is resting and that is the main thing.
His little body needs the rest.
My little grand daughter that is now 6 and Ive had her since birth, still lays down for a rest, especially during summer when she is so active and tires from the heat.

We call it quiet time in our house instead of a nap. That way she doesn't think I'm treating her like a baby......LOL

Also mom needs that quiet time during the day so she can recoup and get some things done that she can't while they are up and running around, or sit and relax awhile because I know that with a 3 yr old and keeping up with him all day is extremely tiring.

Answer 6

Allow him to take one as long as it doesn't interfere with him getting a good night's sleep at reasonable hours. Some kids need it, and some don't. If taking one means that he'll be up too late, cut the nap by 30 minutes...and continue til it's just right. When he starts kindergarten, you'll want to get him to bed good and early so that he doesn't have the need for a nap...so that he'll get a good 10 hours or so per night. This will put him at his best ability to absorb and learn at school.

Answer 7

Well, I wouldn't stop him before Pre-K because then he'll just have to start taking them again. I don't know about kindergarten but I'd say by first grade since there isn't a scheduled nap time in school and an after school nap would interfere with bedtime.

Answer 8

at about 3 years old....my daughter stopped with the naps at 5, my son is 2 1/2 and still takes naps....instead of 1-2 hour naps, make it 30 minutes. that way they dont fight you to go to bed at night when its time.

Answer 9

As long as his napping isn't interfering with his sleep at night I wouldn't worry. My son has always liked to nap and sometimes just play in his bed. It is good for kids (sigh* and parents) to have some alone time. It helps their imaginations and their bodies, whether or not they actually sleep. Hurray for naps!

Answer 10

Calling it a nap is not really a good term, I call it quiet time for me and my daughter. If you son just lays in there and plays or talks quietly that's great and if he falls asleep that is ok too.