Some preschool children, especially those with early bedtimes and who are able to sleep well throughout the night, may not feel tired during nap time in the preschool setting. If you try to force the child to sleep when he is not tired, you may cause tension throughout your entire class of students. Instead, encourage the child to sit or lay at his nap spot and rest his eyes or play silently with his favorite stuffed animal. The child may fall asleep after spending time resting or witnessing his peers sleeping peacefully.
It is important to set the mood for nap time. Although playing outside throughout the day and encouraging physical activity can help students sleep better, you should not allow students to get riled up just before nap time. Instead, schedule reading time just before nap time. Allow each student to bring her favorite stuffed animal or a blanket she likes to sleep with to reading time in order to get her in the mindset that it is time for resting and sleeping soon.
A child gets used to normal routines and may actually become emotionally distressed when his routines are disrupted. Help each individual student look forward to nap time by keeping it at the same time everyday. For example, you may schedule nap time just after reading stories to children. Incorporate a fun activity that always comes just after nap time, such as playing outside or participating in a craft activity. Remind students of the routine each day.
A child may have a difficult time falling to sleep in a preschool environment because she is not alone in the room. She may feel distracted by her peers. Because each child cannot have her own room for nap time, it is important to help each student feel as though she has her own space. Designate one cot for each student that the student sleeps on each day. Remind each student about the importance of keeping her hands to herself during nap time.