ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

Thanks to Diane Fletcher of the Early School at Ashley Hall, Charleston, SC, for these perspectives on napping which she recently shared with her program’s families:

Did you know that when the lights go out, we are still working on strategies, observing, and listening closely to your child? As a community, the children will ask questions and make comments like, "Are there ghosts or no ghosts?" and "My monsters go bye bye!" or "I can picture the nature retreat and I am going to dream about it! Climbing trees and frogs, maybe a pink bird!" These dream-like visuals or scary moments and other situations become teaching opportunities, and educators comfort the children by saying, "Sleep, little one." …Restful sleep builds trust. I watch as teachers talk softly to children, giving children a hug or a pat, and even other children will do the same. It shows that we cherish and appreciate each other. It builds relationships. At rest time, some children are concentrating on deep breathing, an effective way to calm their body and protect it from stress…Other children will have visuals using their imagination to slow their thoughts and release worries. We use music, white noise, lullabies, poetry, and sound waves to assist children in regaining balance and strengthening their self-regulation skills. We are in awe and feel humbly blessed as children fall softly into their dreams.

…We are constantly re-examining routines and rituals as your child grows. When the children are ready to wake up, together we recognize and guide each one to make good personal choices. They talk quietly as they wake. We move in a quiet transition to afternoon activities and busy explorations.

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