The Naptime Struggle
Nap time. Some dread
it, some can’t wait for it to arrive. Many adults would probably be thrilled to have a nap in the middle of their work day, but unfortunately they are usually reserved for the youth. Either way, it’s a much needed part of a child’s day. Napping allows their bodies and minds to
recharge, while improving sour moods. It
has also been theorized that nap time aids cognitive developement and physical growth by allowing the body some time
to rest and recuperate from activity. Missing nap time can lead to
crankiness and a decrease in physical activity.
Medical research has even found a connection between missed sleep in
children and childhood obesity.
So how do you facilitate the nap? It is important to first create an
environment conducive to sleep. If
possible, place the children in the quietest part of the room and dim the
lights. Most children go to sleep easier
with relaxing music played at a moderate level.
If your classroom is near a noisy room, soothing music can help to drown
out the noise as well. Reading a short
story can also help to get children ready for a nap. Some teachers find it helpful to place glow
in the dark shapes or stars on the ceiling of the classroom to give children
something to look at while drifting away.
Always be consistent with your routine so the kids know what to expect.
A comfortable resting place is also needed to initiate
sleep. The cots offered by Wood Designs
are perfect for this situation! Our cots
stack vertically for efficient use of space and are extremely comfortable. Wood Designs’ cots are made from anti-sagging
nylon material to provide your little students with a relaxing bed to sleep on
and allow easy removal for washing.
Adding a child’s favorite blanket or stuffed animal can also help to
initiate a comforting environment to sleep in.
The nap time battle can be tiresome, but naptime is very much needed
for both teacher and student. Try to
figure out what tactics work best for your children and adapt as needed.
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