More Nap Q's

[Lil'DinoEggs]

Are there those of you who don't do "nap" but more of a "quiet time"? I am just about done with shushing, tip toeing and back rubbing so one kid can get sleep. As this point, I rather just lay them on their mats with a quiet toy to begin with because they actually stay quiet and I get more work done.

My regs state under 2 needs to be laid down whenever they show signs of fatigue and the rest just a period of quiet.

What do you think?

[Lil'DinoEggs]

Btw, the one kid who does sleep can continue through a tornado.

[JoseyJo]

We do quiet time. You can't "force" anyone to sleep, just like you can't force them to learn, eat, or potty train It is much easier to provide a good nap atmosphere and let them sleep if they want, or be quiet and rest if they want. We do require that every child lay quietly on their mats (they can have a stuffed animal or books as long as they are quiet enough with them not to wake anyone else up).

[Cradle2crayons]

My 2 and 3 yr old daycare girls, if they are here for nap time, nap every single time. Even though at home they don't get naps at all because their mom ... Well... Long story...

My two younger ones also nap every single day they are here. They do nap a home, but not at a formal time every day.

Wen I get a new kid that starts, it only takes me a few weeks to get them onto a nap schedule and its not negotiable. Of course I don't and can't FORCE them to actually go to sleep. But I don't give them books or quiet options. If they don't fall asleep fine, but they aren't allowed to talk or anything else. When they lay there quietly they just fall asleep. It's miraculous

[blandino]

All of my kids have to lay down. We go straight from lunch to our mats. They get to choose a book to bring with them. While I clean, they have a "quiet time" usually about 20 minutes to settle down. Then I read a story, recover them with their blankets, we go over the rules for nap (no talking, stay on your mat, etc), and then I turn on stories on CD. Most of my kids do fall asleep, but some days some don't. They have stories to listen to, and book to look at.

If they talk they are moved away from the group, and still have to be quiet. If they get off their mats, I pick them up and without words move them back to their mat, as many times as needed.

[GabsKids]

We can't "force" them to sleep. I have some that sleep everyday, some that only sleep once in a while. I try not to stress about it. As long as they rest and stay quiet I don't mind. I know this is frowned upon, but I do let them watch a short movie most days. It helps keep them quiet so the sleepers are able to sleep. I also run a sound machine.