Naptime Tips

In her Exchange article, "Implementing a High-Quality Naptime Routine," which is the basis for the newest Exchange Out of the Box Training Kit, "Naptime Routines," Lana Button offers these tips sure to make everyone rest a little easier:

• Always give the children a ‘heads up’ when naptime is approaching.  Keep your pre-nap routine consistent and your class will start mentally preparing for a rest before they even hit their cots.
  
  
• Keep children’s cots in the same basic location each day.  Once you find a spot where a child is most likely to get a good rest, use that spot consistently.  Having to adjust to a new spot or a new ‘nap neighbor’ can make it difficult for a child to settle down.
  
  
• Allow children a few minutes on their cots before the lights are turned out.  This allows children to transition from being very active to being very still.  Your center might provide nap books or simple manipulative toys for children to explore independently for 5 minutes.
  
  
• Teachers are instrumental in establishing a calm mood in the classroom at naptime.  Once the teacher dims the lights she should lower her voice and keep it at just above a whisper for the duration of naptime.
  
  
• In continuing with this slow transition to rest time, it’s a good idea to put on a short audio story for children to listen to once the lights are dim.  This allows the teacher to gather naptime books and tuck each child in to give them a nurturing send-off to rest time.  Make sure each child has something from home to cuddle.
  
  

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