Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Minimising childcare sleeping difficulties:

Starting childcare opens up a whole new world to your child, which can come with the inherent anxieties and need for adjustment we all feel in times of change. Here are some essentials to help you and your child sleep at night.
By Motherpedia
Date: February 22 2012
Tags: childcare, sleep,
Editor Rating:
sleeping-and-childcare

The shift to childcare can manifest into sleeping difficulties for a young mind.  

Educational and Leadership Manager, Kristy Busuttil from First Grammar discusses the essentials to help you and your child sleep at night once they have started childcare.

Here is her checklist to help your child sleep easy...

  • Talk about your child’s teachers and day at their childcare in general, discussing with positive reinforcement the activities and other elements that comprised their day.
  • You should also develop a rapport with your child’s teacher where possible, and speak with them about the sort of day (including the day’s learning topics and activities) it was so that you can later extend on the day’s discussions with your child. Positive discussion will help alleviate or bring to light any anxieties your child may feel in such a new environment.
  • If age appropriate, adopt a reward sticker chart if sleeping through the night is successful. This will in many cases replicate the reward systems of your day-care and foster continuity.
  • Read to your child at night, particularly calm and soothing stories.
  • Discuss with your child the importance of the routine at bedtime.
  • Use a night-light if you deem it necessary.
  • Use little reassurances and positive verbal directions.
  • Acknowledge signs of tiredness and respond promptly- these include rubbing eyes, yawning, whinging, crying, rapid mood changes from cheerful to tearful, or being fussy with food.
  • Use comforters such as a favourite soft toy.
  • Keep a family photo of close immediate family beside your child’s bed.
  • Parents can sit with the child for reassurance at the end of the bed, beside the bed, in the middle of the room by the doorway, or just outside the room until the child is sound asleep.
  • Play relaxing background music in the room or from another room.
  • Spray the room with lavender or place a few drops of lavender on your child’s pillowcase.
  • Give your child a warm bath with a relaxing essential oil in the bath before bedtime.
  • Give your child a full body massage using a relaxing essential oil.
  • Burn aromatic oils for relaxation-a choice from the list below is best for rest.

For further information or tips from Kristy Busuttil and First Grammar, please visit www.firstgrammar.com.au

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Recent Comments
2 Total Comments
Jen says: 2012 02 24
Rating:

My child simply doesn’t sleep at daycare and then his routine gets muddled up at home. I’m tired because I don’t get any sleep and have to back up and go to work. At least it’s the weekend I suppose.

Kristy Busuttil- First Grammar says: 2012 02 29
Rating:

Hi Jen,

There are a few things to consider with your child’s difficulties in regards to sleeping through the day/ night.

Some things to consider are:

How long has your child been attending the centre?
The number of days your child attends?
Your childs age?
What is the norm for his age/ stage of develoopment?
Is your son using any comforters during the day to relax/calm him?
If your child sleeps at the centre is this consistant?
How long is the sleep/ rest period of the daily routine at the centre ?
Is the environment calm and soothing to set the mood for a relaxing atmosphere, to help aid the sleep & relaxation time in the centre?

For more information,I would advise you to discuss all your concerns with your child’s educators and they should be able to provide you with some more advice & sleep/ settling information.

Goodluck and I wish you all the best.

 

View All Comments
Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:33343


Your Comment has been posted
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.