QUIET ACTIVITIES TO REPLACE NAPTIME

All toddlers eventually grow out of naptime but this doesn’t have to spell the end of that late afternoon period of peace. Here we explore the quiet time’ activities that can replace napping.

A regular nap time for little ones is often the only chance during the day when mums can take a moment for themselves and relax, before the busyness of the day resumes. There comes a time (all too soon for some of us!) when children no longer need to take a nap in the middle of the day. The telltale signs include your child being more hesitant to fall asleep and maybe even wanting to do an activity instead. If this happens, you may simply have to accept that the time for regular naps has passed.

There is good news though! The end of daytime shut-eye doesn’t necessarily have to mean the end of those precious few moments of calm in the afternoon. Just because your little one no longer has to sleep during the day, it doesn’t mean that they don’t need a short period of rest. Often naptime can be smoothly replaced with a time for quiet activities. This down time means that your child will be able to rest while entertaining themselves with an activity, and you will be able to take a brief but well-deserved break.

NO MORE NAPTIME

The need for naps will pass for the majority of children before they’re five years of age. Some stop drifting off during the day as young as two and half years old. If your little one is trying to avoid naptime, or they’re waking up from their nap earlier than usual, it often means that they no longer require this afternoon siesta.