Getting kids to bed is a whole process; sometimes, it just becomes hard to understand what to include and what to pass. Children need discipline in their lives, which mainly starts with a good night-time routine.
The main goal of a bedtime routine is to help your child have a healthy sleep cycle. In simple words, your child should not associate falling asleep with mellow music in the background or being rocked. If they do so, they might have trouble falling asleep when you are not around.
Here are some bedtime do’s for your child. There is no formula to obtain the perfect night-time routine for your little one. You test what works for your child, and that is how you set it.
Regular Bedtime Routine
Establishing a bedtime routine with calming activities like brushing, PJ change, reading, cuddling, and lights off before bed helps children wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep before they enter dreamland. Consistency is key – try to stick to the sequence. Eventually, your child will get used to the daily rhythm and start to feel sleepy at the same time each night.
Good Dental Hygiene
Encourage good dental hygiene! Brushing before bed helps keep cavities away and gives a healthy smile. Get your child to brush for two minutes and floss regularly, especially after eating sugary treats. Make it fun by playing music or setting a timer. Explain to the child that brushing at night is supercritical, or the germs will have a field day without disturbances as the child sleeps through.
Soothing Ambience
A calm and relaxing bedtime environment can help your child fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed. Have clean sheets, dim the lights, place their favourite stuffed animal, play soft music or nature sounds to create a peaceful setting and whisper sweet something in their ear as you tuck them in. This will ensure a good night’s sleep while creating a special bonding experience between parent and child.
Read Bedtime Stories
Bond with your child before bed by reading together! It promotes imagination, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Choose age-appropriate books and make it a nightly ritual to discuss the story and characters. Watch their cognition, vocabulary and love for reading grow as you make it a special time you both look forward to each night.
Bedtime Conversations
Connect with your child at bedtime by asking about their day and feelings. Share stories and dreams to build trust and strengthen your relationship. Make it a nightly ritual to show your child that you care and value their thoughts and feelings. Bedtime conversations are simple yet effective! Use conversation cards to make them relevant, simple, and fun.
Wrapping Up!
That’s it on setting bedtime routines. Apart from all the things mentioned above, it is more about how you or your child like the bedtime routine. Include these, but also understand what works best for both of you. Sweet sleeping!