Contents:
- Medical Video: How To Get Your Kids To Nap! | Jordan from Millennial Moms
- Children take a nap enough, the growth will be optimal
- Why are children having difficulty napping?
- Tips to persuade children to take a nap
- 1. Invite the child to take a nap not long after he has lunch
- 2. Schedule the same nap time every day
- 3. Teach children to be able to sleep alone
- 4. Explain that he can continue playing after taking a nap
Medical Video: How To Get Your Kids To Nap! | Jordan from Millennial Moms
Napping is the mortal enemy of almost every child. They prefer to continue playing rather than having to rest. In fact, children need more sleep than adults. Depending on the age, the average child needs to sleep almost10-13 hoursevery day. That's why young children are advised to take a nap so that their sleeping quota is fulfilled. But if it's hard to persuade a child to take a nap, what else can parents do?
Children take a nap enough, the growth will be optimal
Sleep is enough to help the process of child development go well. Sleep well helps the child's body produce growth hormone (HGH), which stimulates the growth of his height. Enough sleep can also protect children from damage to the heart's blood vessels while protecting them from the risk of excessive weight gain due to an increase in stress hormones.
During sleep, the child's immune system also produces cytokine proteins that are useful against infection, disease, and stress. The more children rarely sleep, the amount of cytokines in the body will not be sufficient so that children become more susceptible to illness.
Research by Columbia University Medical Center, quoted from Parents, reports that sleep improves the learning ability of children of all ages. In addition, getting enough sleep can also prevent a child from fatigue that can make him fussy all day long.
That's why sleep is needed by children. If the child has not had enough sleep during the night, he can suffice it during the day. Napping benefits both for children's health as well as sleeping at night.
Why are children having difficulty napping?
It is inversely proportional to babies who are easy and often sleep, persuading small children to take a napcan be a challenge. There is only a child who is having a hard time napping even though he is actually sleepy. This is a natural thing.
Children are in the age range to enjoy exploring the world. Especially when with friends. So don't be surprised if he refuses to persuade his parents to take a nap while still playing. He did not want to spend a little time playing with his friend.
If you are forced to take a nap, the child will certainly be angry and increasingly not want to take a nap. It could even be that he considers napping a scary thing.
Tips to persuade children to take a nap
It may not be easy to persuade a child to take a nap, but you can try a number of the following ways.
1. Invite the child to take a nap not long after he has lunch
We usually feel sleepy after eating rice. Children too!
So, use this golden opportunity to invite children to take a nap. Create it a comfortable environment for children to sleep fast. For example, turn on the air conditioner or fan so the child does not overheat, turn off the tv, turn off the room lights, and others.
2. Schedule the same nap time every day
Schedule of going out and getting up that is always on time is one of the most important first steps if you want your child to sleep enough. As much as possible schedule sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on holidays.
By adhering to a regular sleep schedule every day, the child's body becomes lighter because the hormone cortisol is released more regularly. The always stable cortisol hormone gives it more energy and long-lasting activity for the next.
Keep in mind, napping might make it more difficult for children to sleep well at night. So, you might have to advance your schedule and limit the duration of naps for about 20-30 minutes every day. For example, the child has gone home from school at 12 noon, give him a 1 hour slot for lunch and cleaning up. After that you can schedule a nap at 13.15 and wake up at 1:45 p.m.
If the child is used to sleeping at the same time, his body will automatically get used to it so you don't have to bother persuading the child to take a nap.
3. Teach children to be able to sleep alone
Forcing children to sleep will certainly not be effective. That is, they will instead pretend to sleep and continue playing alone in his room when you leave.
For that, you must train your child to be able to sleep alone without having to be persuaded. If you feel your child has begun to feel sleepy, take the child to bed and let the child fall asleep himself. Try not to pat his butt or stroke his forehead. You might be able to put on quiet music to help your child fall asleep quickly.
4. Explain that he can continue playing after taking a nap
Many children do not want to take a nap because they are busy playing and do not want to spend any time having fun.
However, the child still has to take a nap because he needs it. If he plays outside the house, invite him to go home. Give the understanding that his playmates also have to take a nap. Try explaining to the child that he can continue watching TV or playing again after taking a nap
If the child still refuses to take a nap, you should not be scolded or forced. Leave him with some toys or books and give him time to calm down. At least, this method can save energy and make it a little rested.
