Lunch, Outside, Nap...Does It Really Work?

[ammama]

We go outside from 9:30 or 10 to 11 or 11:30. We have lunch at 11:30, clean up time from 11:50-12, storytime from 12-12:30, and then nap from 12:30-2:30 (or whenever after that they wake up). We often go outside again after nap, if the weather is good.

[gkids09]

I do lunch, outside, story time, nap. We're not outside for very long, but enough time for them to get their energy out. Then story time calms them down for nap. After nap, we have snack, then we go outside again until pick up time. It really works for me!

EXACTLY my schedule.

And since it's finally warm outside, we have been going out after lunch and running relay races after about 15-20 minutes of riding bikes.

They are sound asleep in about 5-10 minutes!

[blueclouds29]

i have to say i read this post before lunch and i tried it. We had lunch at 11:15 went outside till about 12ish, came in and read books. They passed out within minutes even the 6month old!! YAY!!
Great idea except, today was the last day of going out cause the temps are going down!! Urghhh just when things look good!

[SilverSabre25]

Sounds like I'm just going to have to experiment! Thanks for the input/experiences everyone !

[jen]

i have to say i read this post before lunch and i tried it. We had lunch at 11:15 went outside till about 12ish, came in and read books. They passed out within minutes even the 6month old!! YAY!!
Great idea except, today was the last day of going out cause the temps are going down!! Urghhh just when things look good!

You can always replace outside with dance-party or another active group effort...my kids love, love, love the audio tape activity deals...You know, like going on a bear hunt...we have a dinosaur tape and baby bumblebee...the tape sings and gives directions. Anyway, they love it. Basically anything that is active, followed by quiet = sleep.

Similar to the EASY program for babies...

Eat
Activity
Sleep
YOU