Napping For An Almost 4 Yr Old

[tenderhearts]

I started a new boy last week, he's almost 4 yrs. His parents said he hasn't taken naps in a long time. I told them kids are required to take a quiet/nap time which they were fine with. He has only slept once in the 6 days he's been here. I don't know if I should continue putting him down risking him waking up the others because he keeps making excuses to get up or if I should give him quiet time with a movie which is what I do when they get older? My other kids NEED their naps. I'm still getting to know him so I haven't figured out if he needs one yet. He seems to act the same all day.
what would you do?

[littlemisssunshine]

keep making them lie down even if they don't sleep.. we nap right after lunch ill sometimes put 1 episode of cartoons and turn it off in the middle and say ok nap time teacher is tired... it does help that i lie die down with them and pretend to sleep. ill keep opening my eyes to see if theyre asleep and when they are i get up and go have lunch and watch my tv

[Blackcat31]

ALL my DCK's are required to have rest time. I use audio CD's of story books and play those during rest time so my non-sleepers have something to do.

I would make sure ALL his needs, drinks and toileting are taken care of before he lies down and then I would require him to lie down WITHOUT getting up for however long your rest time is.

If he doesn't mesh with your routine and you can't let him stay up and busy with other things, then he should probably not be in your program.

If you do allow kids to be awake and busy with other activities then I would find something quiet for him to do so he doesn't disturb the others who do need a nap.

It is ok to make all your kids rest and it is ok to only make some do it....TOTALLY up to each provider and what works for them.

[Heidi]

Our state requires that all children under the age of 5 be offered a rest period. If after 45 minutes they do not sleep, they are to be offered quiet activities. I think it says they are supposed to be able to "get up" and have quiet activities, but what I do is make a nap basket of stuff (which I rotate) and offer them those things on their mat. They may also bring a handheld game from home once in a while (it's never been excessive so far), to be used ONLY at nap.

Right now I have no 4's, but I have one starting in 2 weeks, and he'll have a rest mat near me, then I'll let him play as long as he is QUIET. I don't know him yet, so we'll have to see how that works out....

[daycarediva]

My own ds is four, and hasn't napped regularly since he was 2. He sleeps more at night to make up for it. I am not required by the state to lay a kid down/give a rest period. So I have kids that are non nappers. They ARE to play quietly with books, puzzles, small toys or relax in the reading nook. I have my own ds and my dcg that don't nap. Never had any issues.

IMHO- if you start forcing him to nap you are probably going to make bedtime a nightmare at home and have a miserable kid the next day.

[tenderhearts]

Yep I make sure all his needs are met and everything. He's only here 3 days per week and he hasn't napped in a long time. His other daycare didn't require him too. What I've been doing is making him lie down with the others and if he has laid there and hasn't fallen asleep after an hour I allow him to get up and watch a disney movie, but HAS to be laying down. I think the fact he's only part time makes it more difficult.
He's quiet in there but he keeps getting up and telling me he has to go potty, a drink ect. I allow him to use the bathroom but I tell him that if he doesn't go that means he's just trying to get up and he'll lay there longer, I do not give him water. I want him to nap. I make all kids until age 4 1/2 -5, I usually make the decision and it varies for each child.

[youretooloud]

I do movies for all the kids from 2 on up. I've been doing it this way for 30 years, and it's worked out well so far. If they don't sleep, at least they are chilling out for the length of the movie.

[mariagarcia495]

Try to involve him in some more activities like playing and dancing so he automatically get tired and take nap in daytime. And give some healthy food including cheese and butter.

[daycarediva]

Yep I make sure all his needs are met and everything. He's only here 3 days per week and he hasn't napped in a long time. His other daycare didn't require him too. What I've been doing is making him lie down with the others and if he has laid there and hasn't fallen asleep after an hour I allow him to get up and watch a disney movie, but HAS to be laying down. I think the fact he's only part time makes it more difficult.
He's quiet in there but he keeps getting up and telling me he has to go potty, a drink ect. I allow him to use the bathroom but I tell him that if he doesn't go that means he's just trying to get up and he'll lay there longer, I do not give him water. I want him to nap. I make all kids until age 4 1/2 -5, I usually make the decision and it varies for each child.

My ds would NEVER lay down for an hour. I do a 30 minute quiet reading and relaxation time with music. I stay with them for this time. If they haven't fallen asleep in 30 minutes, they aren't going to and then they get up. Of course he is getting up and asking to go potty, drink, etc. because he isn't tired and is crazy bored!

YOU shouldn't be making that decision, imho. His body makes that decision. If he isn't tired you CANNOT FORCE someone to sleep. Do his parents know that you are forcing him to lay down for an hour?

[WImom]

Our state requires that all children under the age of 5 be offered a rest period. If after 45 minutes they do not sleep, they are to be offered quiet activities. I think it says they are supposed to be able to "get up" and have quiet activities, but what I do is make a nap basket of stuff (which I rotate) and offer them those things on their mat. They may also bring a handheld game from home once in a while (it's never been excessive so far), to be used ONLY at nap.

Right now I have no 4's, but I have one starting in 2 weeks, and he'll have a rest mat near me, then I'll let him play as long as he is QUIET. I don't know him yet, so we'll have to see how that works out....

I do the same thing.

[momofthree211614]

My state requires a minimum 45 minute rest time. If he sleeps great, if after everyone is asleep in the nap room and he isn't I would bring him a few books or into another room, but I would make him stay on his rest area until everyone else is asleep or you will have a 45 nap time for all.

[countrymom]

my non nappers watch tv or play quietly (lately my one non napper waits till my odd comes home and they bake together) I would not make him lay down, esp. if he hasnt in a long time. But my non nappers know that they cant run around and they cant bother me continuesly either or they will have to lay down.

[tenderhearts]

My ds would NEVER lay down for an hour. I do a 30 minute quiet reading and relaxation time with music. I stay with them for this time. If they haven't fallen asleep in 30 minutes, they aren't going to and then they get up. Of course he is getting up and asking to go potty, drink, etc. because he isn't tired and is crazy bored!

YOU shouldn't be making that decision, imho. His body makes that decision. If he isn't tired you CANNOT FORCE someone to sleep. Do his parents know that you are forcing him to lay down for an hour?

Yes his parents know I require resting time and told them if he lays there at least an hour and doesn't fall asleep then he can get up and finish quiet time with a movie. His parents said a nap would be great for him. They think if he gets use to it and does nap he'll be better in the evenings. I can tell he is tired, I think he's getting up because he's trying NOT to fall asleep.