Naptime and Reward Issue

[Play Care]

Over the summer I started having nap issues with my group. It was to the point where I had to sit in with them for the first 15-20 minutes. I also said if they came in, laid down and rested quietly they would earn a reward.

Initially, even if there were some minor wiggles at the start, I gave everyone the reward because I wanted them to see how nice it was and want to earn it. Lately however, two of my dck's and sometimes a third push it every day at the start of nap. Running into the room, getting off their mats after they've already laid down, trying to chat, kicking their legs or sighing/yawning loudly, etc. Writing it out it sounds worse probably then it is, but it's still not listening/following directions. Add to that, I have to sit with them still for about 15 minutes and it seems now that they are older they are waking up earlier. So I feel as though no sooner do I sit with them to get them settled, then get a couple of things done, I hear them start kicking around again, and sometimes whispering/chatting, etc.
I don't have the room to move anyone anywhere else. I don't know what else to do as this all still need a rest period.

[Blackcat31]

Can you have your most troublesome nappers be one step ahead of the others by beginning their rest period before the quieter ones?

[Unregistered]

White noise machine.

I always stay near the kids until everyone falls asleep. Always have.

[Heidi]

I would find someplace to move the first instigator. A quiet hallway, if need be.

If you choose not to be quiet, then you loose the privilege of sleeping with your friends...

There's really no place?

[Hunni Bee]

What everybody said.

Stinkers go to nap first. White noise and music. Anybody being disruptive naps away from the group. I always read a story and sat there the first 30 minutes while I ate my lunch or browsed the forum.

Have you considered dropping the temp a few degrees right before nap? Not cold, but noticeably cooler just for nap. It'll make make their blankets all the more cozier. That was in my bag of tricks too.

[Play Care]

I do have a fan for white noise, I make sure the room is cool. I try to make sure we have very active mornings. I don't mind sitting in the room for a few minutes, but I'm feeling that I'm in there for longer and longer periods and then they wake early. And honestly, in 9 years this is the first group that I've ever had to sit in with at all. I've got a big group of strong personalities.

There are 4 children in the nap room, and three of them are the issue - I could start sending them one by one, but that might take an extra 1/2 hour for each child. I could move the child out in the hallway if push came to shove, but I honestly don't know if they would care/mind if I did...

[daycarediva]

How old is your group? I say here that if EVERYONE is well behaved at nap, we can play something fun after nap. Playdoh, big kid legos, stampers, paint. Even my WORST offender now shushes the others. Worth a shot, maybe.


I also have to sit with my group (and always have). I have NEVER had a single child in care that I could leave the room and NOT have to go back every minute to put them back on their mat, shush them, tell them to stop talking, etc

[Play Care]

How old is your group? I say here that if EVERYONE is well behaved at nap, we can play something fun after nap. Playdoh, big kid legos, stampers, paint. Even my WORST offender now shushes the others. Worth a shot, maybe.


I also have to sit with my group (and always have). I have NEVER had a single child in care that I could leave the room and NOT have to go back every minute to put them back on their mat, shush them, tell them to stop talking, etc

Wow! This group has been my exception. I sincerely hope it doesn't become the rule.

[Rockgirl]

Here's what I do:

Darken the room--mine is really dark at naptime
Lower the temp, as mentioned above
Position the kids so they can't see each other
Tuck them in--they should have blankets with some weight
White noise machine set to waterfall

I do sit with them, but it doesn't take long. If one won't settle down, I sit right by them until they do.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

What everybody said.

Stinkers go to nap first. White noise and music. Anybody being disruptive naps away from the group. I always read a story and sat there the first 30 minutes while I ate my lunch or browsed the forum.

Have you considered dropping the temp a few degrees right before nap? Not cold, but noticeably cooler just for nap. It'll make make their blankets all the more cozier. That was in my bag of tricks too.

[Blackcat31]

I also have to sit with my group (and always have). I have NEVER had a single child in care that I could leave the room and NOT have to go back every minute to put them back on their mat, shush them, tell them to stop talking, etc

Oh wow! Are you serious?

I've never had a group of kids where I've had to sit in with them. ever.

I don't yell, be mean or get physical but I do get my "I am the boss here" FIRM voice on if I have to but for the most part my kids are fantastic about napping/resting. I have several who don't sleep but lie still just listening to the story.

How old is your group of kids? I am really feeling some MAJOR sympathy for you right now!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[daycarediva]

Oh wow! Are you serious?

I've never had a group of kids where I've had to sit in with them. ever.

I don't yell, be mean or get physical but I do get my "I am the boss here" FIRM voice on if I have to but for the most part my kids are fantastic about napping/resting. I have several who don't sleep but lie still just listening to the story.

How old is your group of kids? I am really feeling some MAJOR sympathy for you right now!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

They are 18m-4.5years

very serious. Not one of my current clients has any sort of schedule at home, most 'crash wherever' or nap in the car on the weekends. I have a 3yo who is with grandma 2 days/week and she rocks him to sleep. 2 are co-sleepers and won't fall asleep without an adult.

The 'best' child I have in care is the 4.5yo (been here since 2) *sigh* even she will whisper/talk the second I leave the room (with the door wide open and video monitor on).

It takes about 30-45 minutes to get them ALL down, I browse the forum on/off, finish up paperwork, and by then I can usually go eat lunch alone.

I have tried separating them, putting them in the playroom (in eyesight the entire time but nobody slept that week) I darken the room, use the coolest room in the house, use relaxing music and have a down pat routine for naps. I strongly feel it is the inconsistency from here-home