Determining the ideal sleeping hours for your kids can be very challenging whether you are a new parent or an existing one. Unlike adults, toddlers cannot set themselves up for sleep so it’s up on the parents to help them get the right amount of rest to guarantee a healthy lifestyle. Getting your kids to sleep more as required will also provide you with more time to do other household chores like preparing food for the family and doing the laundry. Here’s a simple sleep guide for toddlers between 2-5 years of age.

Documented Facts about Toddlers 2-5 Years

Toddlers 2-5 years require a total of between 11 and 14 hours of sleep time to avoid any anxiety or other related disorders that are closely linked to sleep deprivation. It is also critical to understand the common misconceptions that come with the sleeping methods for this age set.

Children should not be taken to bed when they are fully asleep but rather when they are drowsy. Doing this allows your kids to form a habit of going to sleep on their own when they feel sleepy. And letting them have a nap during the day, coupled with a good night time sleep will help them become less irritable and will provide them more energy to engage in many activities.

Down-time or Quiet time before sleeping time might be helpful for your kids to fall asleep on time. This down-time could include a light snack, taking a bath, putting on some warm clothes, talking to the child before he or she sleeps, ensuring that all is well and leaving them to sleep on their own.

During this period, turn off any form of entertainment such as the television, that might keep them awake.  The room should also be at the right temperature and the lighting should not be too bright to make them more comfortable.

Sleep is a fundamental need that can aid in the well-being and development of toddlers and facilitate sharpness, memory and execution. Parents should look out for common concerns that prevent the kids to sleep properly and address them as soon as possible. These common sleeping problems include any school related issues, new siblings, any family concerns, children are more perceptive than we think and can often be anxious over something we did or said that never seemed significant to us.

Turning off the television or iPad before lights out mainly with children of ages 4-5 years can really help your child settle.

You can always monitor the sleeping habits of your child and seek some professional advice.