If you notice that your toddler gets easily frustrated or cranky with his normal routines, one cause may be that he is over-tired and possibly not getting enough or the right type of sleep.
Toddlers sometimes build up lots of physical exhaustion and tension but don't realize how tired they really are.
This is where parents can help intervene and ensure their child gets the corresponding amount of rest.
One of the most important aspects to this is the transition from daytime play to night time rest.
Parents can help their child move from the busy and energetic daytime environment to the peaceful, quiet night time by easing them with a consistent process each night.
This generally involves a routine beginning after dinner that can include drawing, watching TV or a video, reading books, and a bath.
All of this is the gentle winding down that is done to get your toddler ready for sleep.
Your toddler's bed is an important part of this as well.
Their bed should be something they associate with rest and peacefulness.
While many kids use their bed for other things like playing and artwork, it needs to be a place they associate with warmth, comfort, and nighttime.
Many parents choose a toddler bed that has a theme associated with it, such as a character or nature theme that their child identifies with and makes them feel safe and at home.
The parent's mood and temperament is important during this time as well.
Children are very keen especially when it comes to their parents.
If you are very busy and distracted during bed time, such as cleaning or watching TV, your toddler will notice.
Try to avoid other activities that are 'stressful' during this time, dedicate some time to your child like reading, and this will comfort them and more importantly not distract them.
If you are calm and relaxed during bedtime, chances are your toddler will as well.
Consistency is the name of the game, so try to start the routine at the same time each evening.
Your child's bedtime should generally be the same each night, this means lights out at a constant time for best results.
A crucial element here (if you haven't already learned this the hard way) is not staying with your child until they fall asleep.
This is an incredibly difficult habit to break.
So if your child is very active, and is tired at night but is still not fully getting the rest and sleep he needs, focus on the transitions from busy day to quiet night.
Your child will be on a path towards happier days.
Toddlers sometimes build up lots of physical exhaustion and tension but don't realize how tired they really are.
This is where parents can help intervene and ensure their child gets the corresponding amount of rest.
One of the most important aspects to this is the transition from daytime play to night time rest.
Parents can help their child move from the busy and energetic daytime environment to the peaceful, quiet night time by easing them with a consistent process each night.
This generally involves a routine beginning after dinner that can include drawing, watching TV or a video, reading books, and a bath.
All of this is the gentle winding down that is done to get your toddler ready for sleep.
Your toddler's bed is an important part of this as well.
Their bed should be something they associate with rest and peacefulness.
While many kids use their bed for other things like playing and artwork, it needs to be a place they associate with warmth, comfort, and nighttime.
Many parents choose a toddler bed that has a theme associated with it, such as a character or nature theme that their child identifies with and makes them feel safe and at home.
The parent's mood and temperament is important during this time as well.
Children are very keen especially when it comes to their parents.
If you are very busy and distracted during bed time, such as cleaning or watching TV, your toddler will notice.
Try to avoid other activities that are 'stressful' during this time, dedicate some time to your child like reading, and this will comfort them and more importantly not distract them.
If you are calm and relaxed during bedtime, chances are your toddler will as well.
Consistency is the name of the game, so try to start the routine at the same time each evening.
Your child's bedtime should generally be the same each night, this means lights out at a constant time for best results.
A crucial element here (if you haven't already learned this the hard way) is not staying with your child until they fall asleep.
This is an incredibly difficult habit to break.
So if your child is very active, and is tired at night but is still not fully getting the rest and sleep he needs, focus on the transitions from busy day to quiet night.
Your child will be on a path towards happier days.