How Much Time For Sleep/Nap Time?

Your child screams and throws the blocks across the room. You shudder. This is the fourth time in an hour this has happened, and you are ready to scream too. A quick glance at the clock suddenly reminds you why this is happening. It is well past your child's nap time.

Naps create a safe place for your child to wind-down and regroup. It also helps your child recover from the effort of growing. Growing is heavy work and the body needs to refresh itself in order for it to continue it's growth.

So, how much sleep does a child need? Children between the ages of one and three should be sleeping, at night ,an average of 10-14 hours.  A child three to five-years-oldshould be getting 10-12 hours nightly.  Older children between the ages of seven and twelve still need a lot of sleep to properly develop and grow. This age group should receive at least 10 hours of rest each night.

Naps should range from one to three hours long for a typical two to three-year-old. A child of four or five can nap anywhere from one to two hours a day. These nap times begin to vary as a child matures. A small child will want and need to sleep longer hours than a child who is entering kindergarten. But even though a child enters kindergarten does not necessarily mean they do not need a nap. Every child progresses differently, and where one child may only nap until they are four-years-old, another child may still need rest or nap time through the age of seven.

As a child tires they become crabby, uncoordinated, unreasonable, frustrated and tense. Every parent has witnessed these events in their children. Whether the family has been out late one night to a special event, or time has simply slipped by, we have all seen the effects of a child who needs to sleep.

Naps provide a welcome respite for child and parent. As a child naps, a parent has the time to do uninhibited work, read a book, watch their favorite television program, eat a snack, or whatever it is that makes them feel refreshed. The time a child spends napping, helps them also at night. An overtired child often has trouble falling asleep at the beginning of their bedtime. With proper rest in-between-time, a child can doze off more easily and comfortably.

Naps can make everyone happier. They are the golden keys to a healthier body and mind. Relish the naps. Even us adults need naps at times.

The air conditioner blows a stream of brisk air across my face.

It is hot outside, blistering for a May afternoon, but even despite that the room’s temperature makes me shiver. But the children are unaffected and sleep is where most are found, nestled in oblivion.

The sun spots a break in the blinds. Its soft yellow tentacles skirt across the page I am writing on.

Modern day lullabies drift in melodic rhythms from the CD player. I have heard these songs so many times I now hum them as I work.

The love and peace lyrics echo in my brain when I do simple things like making dinner, sipping coffee, or simply brushing my teeth. The lyrics are man's way of convincing himself that somewhere goodness still exists and that it isn't all blood, death and struggle after all.

The scent of grape juice suddenly wafts through the room and a cough risesfrom the child beside me. He scrunches his blanket then rolls to his left, then to his right.

A yawn. He settles upon his stomach, and closes his eyes again. I envy his ability to block out everything and everyone. If only I had his skill to stop the world and hear nothing but my own heart, at least for a little while.

An early riser stirs, sits up, and looks my way. I wave at her shadowed face and motion her to lie down. She gets embarrassed, and plops her head on her plump purple pillow. She pulls her cover up, wiggles it with her toes and kicks her legs like an antelope ready to leap. Her fingers crinkle the sheet, smooth it out, crinkle, smooth... sigh.

Being quiet is so very very hard.

The hour ticks on.

The time to rise is drawing near.

Soon the room will bustle with noise and new ideas.

There will be laughing, talking and sharing stories. There will be hugs, giggles and debates. We will snack and enjoy the afternoon light.

These are our children.

The little spirits that make up our world

the ones trying to find their way despite all the obstacles, despite all the newness that is them.

I stare at these small people and marvel at their resiliency and their perseverance.

They are us,

after all

Us in young flesh.

by: Cindy Letchworth

There is nothing cuter than animals sleeping. In this video, you will see many animals as well as some children who just couldn't stay awake any longer