my son will be 3 in january, it seems to be getting harder and harder to get him to take his nap everyday. please tell me i have more time before he will stop taking naps...it's my time to recuperate :-)
2007-11-29 09:39:28 · 42 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Studies show that many children stop taking naps at around age 4, but some experts say that may be too soon. "Daytime sleep remains important for kids during the preschool years and even throughout kindergarten," Dr. Mindell says. If your child falls asleep easily at naptime, it's a sign he still needs a daytime snooze. The following are indications that it's time to stop:
Your child is consistently fidgety and restless at naptime.
He doesn't have meltdowns in the late afternoon when he misses his nap.
When he does nap, he has a hard time going to sleep at his regular bedtime.
2007-11-29 09:43:59 · answer #1 · answered by ALLEY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your son will let you know if he no longer needs naps. Our daughter was getting harder and harder to put to bed at night so we stopped her from napping at 2.5 years. She then started going to bed at a reasonable hour and slept better through the night. When we cut out her nap we still insisted on rest time and we sat down together to watch a movie or do some other quiet activity. It only took her about a week to settle into the new routine.
All kids are different. Some stop napping at 1 and others are almost at school before they stop. It is up to the child and the parent.
2007-11-29 11:50:39 · answer #2 · answered by sarah 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, mine stopped taking a nap at 2. Some kids still take naps at 5 or 6. If your son is resisting naps and can get through the day without getting too cranky, he's probably about done. When he stops the naps, you can move to an earlier bedtime.
2007-11-29 10:43:52 · answer #3 · answered by daa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, it depends on the child. If it's getting harder to put him down for naps he's probably telling you that he's ready to at least cut back. That doesn't mean that you have to lose out on recuperation time. :)
Strike up a deal with him where instead of nap time it's "quiet time" and instead of a taking a nap you'll put in an educational DVD for him to watch. Since he's getting to be "such a big boy" now you expect him to be able to watch the whole thing without coming to you. This "quiet time" not only gives you a breather, but it will be relaxing for him too (plus he still might wind up falling asleep and taking a nap). The bonus is that you won't have to fight him anymore to "go lie down".
2007-11-29 09:45:40 · answer #4 · answered by miss_nikki 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, i'm not sure what the "official" answer is to that.. but my sister and I took naps up until we were about 6-8 years old. In kindergarten we had a regular nap time everyday where we had 30 minutes of nap time in the middle of the school day. I think naptime is good for children.. just make sure that you don't let them nap for too long... otherwise they'll have trouble sleeping at night!
2007-11-29 09:44:53 · answer #5 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son will be 3 in February and i have cut out his naps during the day cause he wasn't going to bed at night until 11pm or later if he is happy not napping and you don't have a very cranky child at the end of the day let him not nap if you still want some time to your self during is old nap time make it a quiet time when he can draw or look at picture books good luck
2007-11-29 10:15:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it differs with every child but I have a three year old at home and he rarely ever takes a nap any more but the AVG age 3-4, i think its NAEYC.org that you could find answers to all your questions or call your local daycare and ask for someone who works with that age of children
2007-11-29 09:43:46 · answer #7 · answered by SweetMist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the kid. My daughter took naps until about 5. My son stopped at 3, though he still needed one most of the time, so I had to try to get him to take one.
Listen to your child and watch your child. Take you cues from your child. If your child is pleasant and fine without a nap, then he/she doesn't need it. If they are cranky, whiny and rubbing their eyes, I would then at least see to it they are in their beds being quiet. Even if they don't sleep they are still resting. They can look at a book in their bed. This gives you some time then.
2007-11-29 09:45:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What ever age they refuse to take naps. My son would not take a nap after he was 2. I just made it known that if his behavior got to the point I disapproved of he went to his room. Away from me
2007-11-29 09:43:10 · answer #9 · answered by wrknprgsat47 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is no right age to stop naps my son now 4 is the same way it is hard to get him to nap but i have read that all age groups even adults need to nap it help restore youth memory and energy.try playing make play dates with others i do let him get outside run around it helps
2007-11-29 13:04:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋