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Getting young children to go to bed can be a challenge. One important step to get them to go to sleep more easily is to create
a routine for them. When my oldest was about 2 I created a special bedtime book (with the help of my mother in law) about his
bedtime routine. Creating a book about the bedtime routine can be beneficial because it reminds them about what they are
going to do, it prepares them and also relaxes them as they get ready to start the night time rituals. This book was really helpful
because we had velcro pictures that he would help me put in the correct part of the story and he loved being engaged in the
process.
To make your own bedtime book with your child:
- Write down the main parts of your night time rituals, for example, brushing teeth, reading story, having a drink, kisses.
- Then take pictures of anything that signifies those parts of the routine, for example, for tooth brusing-the tooth brush, for reading a story, a book.
- Get the pictures printed out.
- Get some Velcro, that will stick.
- Get some lamination and construction paper
- Write out the routine, each step per page, leave a spot for the picture
- Laminate pages
- Cut out pictures and laminate pictures
- Put velcro on the back of each picture and on the spot you want it to go in the book
- Bring the book to staples and they can bind it for you, or hole punch it and tie ribbon to keep it together.
Enjoy!!
photo credit: treehouse1977
How to get a quiet room!
I don’t know about you but, when my kids would nap I wanted their room to be quiet!! The worst was when I would have them almost asleep and someone would knock on the door or call for me. I just wanted to scream SHHHH!! They would always wake up from the phone ringing, a lawn mower or someone ringing the doorbell!! There is nothing worse then waking a sleeping child or having them almost asleep and wake up!! I have come up with some things I do to help eliminate outside noise and recently discovered an even better idea!! Keeping out the outside noise rather then trying to cover it!
My noise covering techniques have been to create a constant white noise. I have used soothing music, a humidifier and a fan. All have been pretty helpful in stopping my kids from waking up.
I just read an article on Sound Proofing a room and wish I had discovered it when my kids were little!! It’s about sound proofing a room, not just covering the noise. According to the article there are special window treatments and door coverings that keep noise out!! These sound proofing techniques discussed in the article are 95% effective-so they cut out 95% of the noise! How great that would have been!! I would have been in heaven if I could have shut the door and not worried that a phone ringing was going to wake my son or daughter. Another benefit of these Window Treatments or seals is that it helps keep out allergens! Not a bad thing for all of us with allergies!!
It used to take me quite a while to get them to sleep!! Both my kids would wake as soon as I put them down if they weren’t in a deep sleep. I tried multiple methods to get them to go to sleep on their own too. Eventually as they got older they got better at transferring into their crib, but if there was the slightest noise their eyes would pop open and I would have to start all over again!!
How do you get your child to sleep? Do you have any sound proofing or noise covering solutions you use or used?
