Your Teaching Practice
Can you think of a bedtime ritual that you have used effectively with your own children or the children in your care? What was it? How did it make the child feel about going to sleep?
I work as a nanny for my nephew and he has a great bedtime ritual that we follow each night. We begin the night off with a warm bath by doing this he is able to start winding down and relaxing. Bathtime, brushing his teeth, and putting on lotion are indicators for him that bedtime is coming soon. After we take a bath I let my nephew (who is 2 years old) choose the pajamas he wants to wear to bed. This helps him feel like he has control over his bedtime routine. After pajamas, we find a book that we will read together in his rocking chair. Depending on how the nighttime routine has been going I will read 1 or two books with him. After that, I change his diaper one last time and put him in his bed. We make sure he has his stuffed animal, pacifier, and blanket. After I tuck him in we say goodnight with a hug and kiss, turn on his sound machine, and then he is off to bed. This routine makes the child feel loved, safe, and overall calm. Because he knows what to expect around bedtime he hardly ever fights sleep, and actually loves being in his own bed.
Take time to consider each child in your room. What are his sleeping patterns like? How does he prefer to fall asleep? What is his mood generally like when he wakes up?
In an early childhood care facility you very often have more than 1 infant/toddler in your care. It is important to keep in mind how this child prefers to sleep. One child may be more tired than another earlier in the day. It is important to talk with parents about their child’s sleeping patterns so both teacher and parent can work to support the child’s healthy sleeping habits. Some children prefer to sleep on their stomachs, back, or side. Depending on their age it is the caregiver’s job to help the child get comfortable and be safe at the same time. A child’s mood is also a big factor in an early childcare facility. If you know that one of your students gets very cranky when they wake up, you can allow for a few minutes of one on one quiet time with the caregiver after they wake up. By giving the child more time to wake up they may have a better attitude throughout the rest of the day.
