3.5 Year Old Screaming Bloody Murder At Nap

[newtodaycare22]

Please, someone, anyone help me! Started a new kid today. It's been a bit of a roller coast-transitions are his weak area but then he usually adjusts to the activity. He's 3.5 and the other structure he's had is speech/prek 2 half days a week. It's been rough but nothing that I'm thinking time won't fix.

Until nap. Screaming BLOODY MURDER. I had to separate him from the other kids because they are good nappers and that's just not fair to them. However, I only have one room for them to sleep with. He's sitting behind me and you would literally think someone is murdering him. My head is pounding . It's been 45 minutes of this.

I can't rub his back like I usually do with restless ones because he will not stop screaming and wont' stay on the cot!! Threw pillows and blanket. Last kid like this I termed. Ugh Any ideas???

[newtodaycare22]

He cried himself to sleep finally. ughh. I think I'll put him on his cot before the end of nap so he wakes up there, and realizes that THAT is where he sleeps. I don't want this habit of a tantrum and thinking he gets to go somewhere else.

[MizzCheryl]

I would try to put him on his cot. Tomorrow I would tell him many times that he will be taking a nap after luch. I would start saying after lunnch(or what ever your routine is) we lay down quietly and rest. Over and over so he will know what is expected. Try doing that every day for a while so he gets used to it. I do that with all new kids aeve 12 month old kis I tell them they will take a nap after lunch and tell them we rest quietly. Hope that helps a little. Good luck. Blad he is resting.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

When I've dealt with children who have sensory processing disorders (...not saying that he has one...) using transitional phrases is KEY.

"FIRST, we have Center Time.
THEN, it is nap time on our cot."

Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat for up to 2 hours prior to nap time. I always said it with a lot of excitement while smiling.

[SunshineMama]

How does the child behave cognitively? I have never experienced a 3.5 year old screaming bloody murder like that ever- maybe I have been lucky though??? I always try to explain why we are doing things to the kids. For example, "you have to take a nap so your body can grow big and strong. Your body grows when you are sleeping." I ask them if they have questions about what I just told them. Of course, they will say they don't want to sleep. That's when I empathize and say to them, "I know you do not want to take a nap. You want to stay up and play. I understand you. But it is naptime for everyone so you can grow really really big (put your arms up and smile)." I then give the child a big hug and let them know that I will come and get them after nap. Sometimes the children just want to be heard. Check out the book, "the happiest toddler on the block." there are lots of great ideas in there. Eventually you won't have to do that everyday, but it sounds like the child is having a rough time. I also tell the kids, "I am going to take good care of you and we are going to have lots of fun today okay!" sometimes they just need reassurance good luck!

[Blackcat31]

Curious about what the parents say.

I think since the child is 3.5, (which IMHO, is plenty old enough to be beyond the tantrumming age) he should have been aware of the fact that there is a nap or rest time at daycare.

Do the parents know this is happening?

[newtodaycare22]

In regards to your question...


He's socially behind for his age and I think this is partially related to his speech issue (he was delayed and has an impediment).

At his last daycare he was one of the older ones and fell asleep to a movie for nap (which I dont/wont do).

His parents were very supportive and even offered to come get him if it was too much for his first day but I didn't want that-otherwise he'd think that's what happens when you have a tantrum!

After nap he was slightly better but I could tell this was going to take work. Almost every time I gave him a direction yesterday, he said "No" "No thank you" or "I don't want to". Today? I only heard "no" one time thus far (because he wasn't happy to only get 1 cupcake for dessert. ).

He is immature for his age, but maybe he just really wanted to try and push me yesterday. Maybe he was allowed to say 'no' in other places but nooot here my friend. haha He goes to another school in the afternoons Tue/Thurs so we didnt have nap today BUT I tried to keep him in the routine. He still layed down with books for a bit before going and he did pretty well with it.

Thanks guys!