free printable toddler daily schedule template

To help prevent stalling, here are a few tips you can try: I can’t sleep without my stick!” or “Just one more book?” or “I need more water,” no one is more productive than a toddler at bedtime. It’s amazing all the different ways toddlers and preschoolers can find to stall bedtime! Whether it’s “I need to go outside. Just keep in mind that your toddler may need some extra grace when that happens! How can I stop my toddler from stalling at bedtime? # anchor Now, will there be times when you have to change the routine without any notice? Of course! But, having routines and expectations established will help your toddler be flexible on the rare occasions when everything changes at the last minute. That advance notice will help your toddler be more adaptable when bedtime approaches. Remember: toddlers thrive when they know what's coming. That's okay too! It can be helpful to talk to your child about it before the sitter arrives. Maybe you have a night where you're leaving your toddler with a sitter. Don't stress about getting in every step of your bedtime routine skip the bath and do a mini routine instead. Maybe you're out with family for a dinner, and you arrive home at 9:30 pm. There will be times when your bedtime routine needs to be shortened or altered, and that's okay.

At the same time, life happens! I want you to have a great little sleeper so that you can thrive, and part of that is being able to have flexibility around life's joys. What if we have to change our bedtime routine for a night? # anchorĪ predictable bedtime routine can help set your toddler up for success. The same research says we should avoid screen time before bed because blue light exposure ( 4) can make falling asleep more difficult. So what should your toddler’s bedtime routine look like? Research suggests there are a few basic steps in a bedtime routine that promote better outcomes for sleep ( 1) and your child’s overall well-being, such as: This helps your toddler understand your expectations around bedtime. Since toddlers and preschoolers do best when they know what to expect, you’ll want to include the same steps in the same order each night. It’s simply a series of events that cue your toddler’s brain that sleep is coming and help prepare their body for sleep.

What is a good bedtime routine for toddlers? # anchorĪ bedtime routine doesn’t have to be complicated. If a bath is part of your bedtime routine, it will likely take closer to 30 minutes or more (depending on how much your toddler likes to play in the tub). We want to aim for a bedtime routine to be around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the activities involved. How long should a toddler's bedtime routine be? Is my toddler’s bedtime routine too long? # anchor Wake windows typically increase with age, so a two year old will likely need around 4.5 hours of wake time before bed, while a three or four year old may do better with closer to 5.5 hours. If your toddler is still napping, we generally want bedtime to be 4.5-5.5 hours from the end of their nap. Several studies have found that a bedtime before 9:00 pm ( 2) leads to better toddler sleep, and we see better behavioral outcomes ( 3) with age-appropriate sleep schedules. Most toddlers do best with a bedtime between 7:00-8:00 pm. What time should a toddler be going to bed? # anchor There are many benefits to following and maintaining a bedtime routine for your toddler:īedtime routines are shown to lead to longer, less disrupted nighttime sleep ( 1).īedtime routines can help reduce tantrums.īedtime routines are associated with improved emotional regulation and positive temperament ( 1). Having a consistent bedtime routine for your toddler sets a loving boundary that helps your child feel secure and promotes healthy sleep habits. Why is a bedtime routine important for toddlers? # anchor

Free printable toddler daily schedule template