Bedtime can be a hassle for many parents. No matter what the age of the child, there are always reasons they don’t want to go to sleep. Even infants can have a tough time settling down. There are many different ways to get a child ready to go to sleep. This article will discuss several different activities to help children settle down for an easier bedtime.
Letting out their energy
Before settling down, it could be helpful for parents to let their children let out some of their unexpressed energy. Some parents find that letting their children play a game or run around outside before settling down for the evening can really help the children go to sleep faster.
Turn off the television
Television is very stimulating and ends up energizing children, not relaxing them. Turning off the TV can help children settle down and make bedtime easier. It is best not to have a TV in a child’s bedroom, and the family television should be turned off several hours before bedtime.
A quiet game
Playing a quiet game can help a child settle down while having fun. Putting a puzzle together, or saying goodnight to their toys can be a great quiet activity to help settle a child down.
Bath time
Having bath time right before a child goes to sleep can be very relaxing. There are many bath products, such as lavender body wash or bubble bath, that can help calm a child down and help them relax. The warm water should help settle the child down too.
A massage
Infant massage can be a great way to relax a baby. A parent can go online, get a baby massage book, or a parenting magazine to learn how to do infant massages. The massages only take a few minutes and can quickly help a baby relax. When the child is older, they may like to have their back tickled to help them relax.
Reading a story
Children love to be read to. Parents can read a child a story before they go to bed to help them relax. It can be helpful for parents to let their child pick the book that they would like to have read to them. Some children may even like to hear the same story every night!
Sing a song
To help a child get ready for bed, a parent can sing a song to them. Most children love to be sung to, and they may even have a favorite bedtime song. Hearing a song as they drift off to sleep can help the child relax and feel safe.
Talk about the day
Bedtime can be a great chance for parents and children to chat about the day and what went on. Many grade-schoolers really want to tell their parents about their day. And since the family is usually busy until bedtime, they may not have gotten a chance to talk to their parents about what is going on at school or with their friends. Plus, when parents talk in a calm and soothing voice, this can be just want the child needs to help them relax and fall asleep.
Parents should remember that they may need to try several different quiet activities, or combination of some these bedtime activities, before find the bedtime routine that works to settle their child down and gets them ready for bed. It is even ok for the parent and the child to come up with their very own activities for an easier bedtime.
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