We started something new today for Owen at nap time. He hasn't taken a nap consistently for over a year. Instead, he does rest time. This looks like being in his room from 1:30-3:00 reading/listening to music/playing with toys, etc. This typically goes well. He goes through phases where it seems to bore him or he seems so tired but won't let him sleep. Those days don't go very well.
So today we started "Rest Time Boxes." I bought three rubbermaid storage bins, 16 qt size. I filled each box with some toys/activities/books. Each day, he can choose one box. That will hopefully focus and direct his time. If he wants to switch boxes, he can, he just has to clean up the first one and then move on.
We're only 20 minutes in, but it is quiet so far. I will keep you posted! I am hopeful that this is just what he and I have needed to help this time.
Any other thoughts on 4 year old rest time activities?
2 comments:
that's a great idea, kristen! we are definitely needing some help in this area. and, ohhhh, don't you just hate those days when you know he is so tired and REALLY needs a nap, but he fights it to the bitter end? i feel like screaming, "YOU'RE SO TIRED! Why don't you just sleep already?!" fun times! :)
KP-A fun idea that my Kindergarteners love is listening and "reading" along to books on tape via an old walkman/cd player! I put a green sticker over the play button and a red sticker over the stop button and a yellow button on rewind (for the tape players but cd players are easier). Anyways, once you show him how to use it, he'll catch on and know what to do. It keeps them quiet FOREVER and it's meaningful. You can even record your own cds on a mac if you wanted to read passages from the Bible or a favorite book of his. Give it a try! I think O will dig it. :)
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