Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Preschool Naptime Issues | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
My son is having some issues with naptime at his preschool. If he is not asleep after 15 minutes, he is allowed to get up and draw or write on blank sheets of paper. This worked for a while; however, he has become more restless and feels the need to fool around (thus disturbing the other children). My son, his teacher, and I tried to come up with quiet alternatives. His teachers would prefer that he not do activities at any of the "centers" because the other children would see this and then they would want to play too. If this happened, none of the children would nap, which I understand. However, I know that my son is getting bored with drawing endless pictures and letters on blank sheets of paper. I feel that if my child won't take a nap, the opportunity should be taken to stimulate him in some sort of quiet way. Do you have any ideas that I could present, and ways to present them without stepping on anyone's toes?— Frustrated Mom in Georgia | | | ANSWER |
November 19, 2001 | | | Dear Frustrated Mom,
Without knowing any of the details about your son's school, all I can offer are some general comments about nap times. Many three- and four-year-old children need an afternoon nap, but many do not. I'd be surprised if your son is the only one in the class who has doesn't fall asleep, and sometimes gets bored or restless. On the other hand, having some quiet time is good for everyone (including the teachers!), and it's understandable that the teacher would want to set a limit about getting up and playing.
Here are just a few ideas for quiet diversions:
- Look at picture books, especially familiar ones;
- use a portable cassette player and headphones, and listen to music, or a book on tape (there are some very good read-along books on tape for children);
- play silently with small dolls or action figures while lying on the napping mat;
- do puzzles;
- make things out of small, interesting-shaped blocks.
I suspect that there are many, many other similar quiet activities that you can dream up, so that your son is not too bored. Perhaps after 20 minutes or so, if he's not feeling sleepy, he might be allowed to play quietly with the other awake children, in a place where they will not disturb those who are asleep.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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