Page 87 - Choosing a Child Care Center

BEDTIME ROUTINES

etting your kids to sleep at the end of a hectic
G day can be a real battle! Check out these 10 Tips
for establishing a more peaceful end to their day (and
yours).
1. Be consistent; bedtime should be the same
every day of the week, even on weekends, to
keep your child’s sleeping pattern the same.
2. Start their routine about 30 to 60 minutes
ahead of time. Use wordless cues like dim-
ming the lights, playing soft music, and
turning off the TV. Let children know what’s
happening next.
3. No roughhousing and only quiet play should
be allowed just before bedtime. Give them a
verbal 5-minute warning and have every one
help put toys away.
4. Your nightly routine might look something
like this: bath, pajamas, brush teeth, books,
bed.
5. If you have more than one child, you can
stagger the routine and start the older child
15 minutes later.

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