Napping Help!

[LoraJenkins]

Hi All. I have a few nappung issues I need to find a solution for. Any advice would be appreciated.

Issue #1: I have a 5 year old that has stopped napping but the younger ones still do. What can I have her do quietly during naptime so she doesn't wake the ones that are sleeping?

Issue #2: I have 2 that I want to transition to cots. These are two very active 2 year old boys. They have always been in cribs here (toddler beds at home though).

Any ideas???? I want the cribs out of here, .

Thank you in advance.
Lora

[daycare]

I cant really help you with the first one. In my program everyone naps. Ifyou have outgrown naps, you have outgrown my program.

As for the younger ones how old are they??

[Blackcat31]

Issue #1: I have a 5 year old that has stopped napping but the younger ones still do. What can I have her do quietly during naptime so she doesn't wake the ones that are sleeping?

Writing sheets, books, audio books using head phones, computer time.

All my kids nap so I don't have anything else to suggest.

Issue #2: I have 2 that I want to transition to cots. These are two very active 2 year old boys. They have always been in cribs here (toddler beds at home though).

Move one at a time. Have them lay on the cots and if they move off of them or don't do well, immediately put back up and put back in the crib.

Rinse and repeat. If they are quick to "get it" and are full time, they should both have it down within a week.

I wouldn't suggest moving both at the same time because if one is acting up, it will provide fuel for the other and it will be nothing but chaos for all.

Consistency and immediate move to the crib if they get up or misbehave is really all you should have to do to make the transition smoothly.

Oh, and of course make a HUGE deal out of how great it is to be a big kid! happyface

[KatiesCorner]

As far as your first question, Pinterest has some good ideas for "quiet boxes". Some of the things we did at my last job for kids that outgrew nap were books, foam puzzles, a notebook with crayons or markers, File Folder games, playdoh on Playdoh mats that you can find online and print, rubber math counters that Discount School Supply sells ( they have a ton, transportation, insects, For minimal's, jungle animals, fruits and veggies). Pretty much any other toy that doesn't make lots of noise when you drop it or knock it over. The trick for us was to either only have them out for one weeks worth of nap time and then rotate, or to have like a Monday box, a Tuesday box etc. so the toys stayed exciting and engaging.

[Play Care]

How much longer will you have the 5 yo all day? Is she starting school? I tried to have my 5 yo dcb who is off to K in a few weeks drop naps early in the summer - I have quiet kits, books, etc. needless to say he's back to the nap mat and the last two days before school starts I will have him not nap.
My contract also says if they have outgrown nap then they've outgrown my care. I think you'll find that unless they have other staff, most providers use the television during QT for non nappers. Not something I want to do.

I always stay in with my nap mat kids until they fall asleep (yay for the ipad!!:: )with kids who are nappers it takes maybe 15 minutes. I also use furniture to block their view of each other, as well as a loud fan to muffle noise.

[BigLittleHomeDaycare]

To get my non-nappers (who should nap but refuse) to relax, I do a routine:

- Watch a thirty minute tv program (the only TV allowed in my home)
- They pick out a stuffed animal to hold
- I read Good Night Gorilla and Goodnight Moon
- Pull out their Personal Boxes

If I use the word rest/nap/quiet - they flip out. I've learned to just say "hey, lets get the Jason box" and they sit and play.

I keep the nap room on the second floor to not disturb the little ones.

Since I only use TV during this time, it has been successful. But If I don't follow up the show with the books, then they just run around. I think what works is that they sit with me - they usually start to cuddle with the book.

[Heidi]

Writing sheets, books, audio books using head phones, computer time.

All my kids nap so I don't have anything else to suggest.




Move one at a time. Have them lay on the cots and if they move off of them or don't do well, immediately put back up and put back in the crib.

Rinse and repeat. If they are quick to "get it" and are full time, they should both have it down within a week.

I wouldn't suggest moving both at the same time because if one is acting up, it will provide fuel for the other and it will be nothing but chaos for all.

Consistency and immediate move to the crib if they get up or misbehave is really all you should have to do to make the transition smoothly.

Oh, and of course make a HUGE deal out of how great it is to be a big kid! happyface