How Do I Get My 4 Year Old To Sleep?
It can be tough to get little ones to sleep at the best of times - but when they hit the
four-year-old stage, it can feel like an impossible task. So how do you get your four
year old to sleep through the night?
The first step is to establish a bedtime routine that is calming and helps your child
wind down for the night. This might include a warm bath, reading a story together, or
simply spending some time chatting about their day. Once you have a regular routine
in place, stick to it as closely as possible each night.
It's also important to create a sleep-friendly environment in your child's bedroom.
Keep the lights low and make sure there are no distractions that could keep them
awake - this means no screens of any kind, including televisions, tablets, or phones.
If your child is still finding it difficult to drift off to sleep, you may need to try some
Behavioural Techniques. These involve calmly explaining to your child what they need
to do in order to fall asleep, and then helping them to follow through with it. For
example, you might say something like "when you close your eyes and lie still, I will know
you are ready to go to sleep and I will come and check on you in a little while".
With a bit of patience and perseverance, you should be able to get your four year old
sleeping through the night in no time!
- Make sure your child is getting enough exercise during the day. A tired body is more likely to fall asleep at night.
- Set a bedtime routine and stick to it. This will help signal to your child that it's time to wind down for the night.
- Keep the lights dim and avoid screens in the hour leading up to bedtime. This will help prepare your child's body for sleep.
- Create a peaceful and comfortable environment in your child's bedroom. Consider using a white noise machine to help them drift off to sleep.
With a little patience and consistency, you should be able to get your four year old sleeping through the night in no time!