How Do You Successfully Change a Toddler's Schedule?

I think this won't be that hard for you. She will probably have a hard time the first couple of days falling asleep at school (not because of her usually scheduled nap time, but because falling asleep in a room full of other kids is hard at first!). But once she's on that schedule, she'll want to fall asleep earlier anyhow. The first couple of days, when she probably won't nap at school, take loooots of Excedrin for the inevitable toddler meltdown that will happen after school, and plan to put her to bed at 8! Problem solved!

As far as weekends, I think it's fine for preschoolers to stay up late now and again. A little partying is good for the soul! =)

I don't think your daughter's schedule sounds in any way unusual. My daughter had a similar schedule just naturally. I don't think you will have to do anything in particular. She will adapt as kids do. Preschool will make her tired and into a different routine anyway. I found my kids would fall asleep in the car on the short ride home from preschool and I would work around that because it gave them just a bit of energy.The first week or so may be a little tricky until she adjusts to all the changes so as someone else mentioned you may need to prepare for a few meltdowns. Other than that, I think it will all work itself out for you.

You can probably change her schedule in the next couple of days without too much trouble. I've had to do the same with my son who was home with me for the summer (I'm a teacher) but is now heading back to preschool for the fall. For us, the easiest way to change the schedule is to start the new wake up times. What I mean is, start waking her up at 7:00 getting ready and out the door by whatever time you'll need to for preschool (even if you just go get coffee for now). Then encourage her to nap at 1, but whether she falls asleep or not, get her back up by 3. Going to bed at 8 won't be too tough if she's been up since 7 and has not had that late nap, then you'll be on the new schedule.

Good luck.
HTH
T.

This is tricky. There are a few parts to my suggestion:
1) Talk to the preschool teachers about this transition (I'm sure you already have) and get their understanding and support to make the transition.
2) The general lore in changing sleep schedules is to take it in about 15 minute increments. While it would have been good for you to start this earlier if possible, can you try pushing her nap time earlier by 15 minutes each day, or hold the 15 minute increment steady for a couple of days and then push it again, etc? You might be able to push it up by at least 1/2 hour, which would be better than nothing.
3) I've heard that the power of kids all going to sleep at the same time is quite something, so it's possible that the group vibe and the skill of the teachers will make this happen more easily than you think.
4) I think you're right in saying that that you and your husband need to work on the transition as much as she does, if you're not schedule-oriented people. I'd say cut back on eating out, which can push bedtime too late. Even consider doing a log of sleep for this time--use a small notebook to track when she went to bed, how long she slept. Doing this kind of logging will really increase your own awareness of timing. Maybe even set a small, fun "alarm" for yourself so that you are more compelled to start bedtime rituals earlier than you might be inclined. I think that you're going to need to think about how this will afffect meal times and meal timing, because you could have best intentions but still run too late if you wait to long to start dinner. Maybe buy takeout food, or do meals you can freeze ahead? I know this a long answer. Good luck!

Hi A.-Marie,
I HIGHLY recommend reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth for info on childrens' natural sleep cycles. It is broken down into age appropriate sections, talks about developmental stages and the average amount of sleep each age group needs. My daughter is 3 and goes to bed at 6:30pm each night and wakes between 6:30-7:30am. My daughter doesn't nap anymore. She has never been the "average" when it comes to sleep, always needing a little less which is common for post colicky children. (She was VERY colicky as a newborn) The average child will also nap around 12 or 1pm for a minimum of 1 hour too. It's great that you are readjusting her sleep schedule now as there has been alot of studies done that show lack of quality sleep can cause children to have a difficult time learning in school. You can start by putting her down for her nap at 1pm and not letting her nap too long, waking her if necessary, in order to preserve the earlier bedtime. About an hour before the new bedtime, start the bedtime routine. Keep things quiet and calm. I also dim the lights and close the blinds as a cue. It might take a few days to a week to shift her schedule. The hardest part for you may be keeping her on it but remember that it is important for her development and overall health that she gets enough quality sleep. It takes adjustment and sacrifice on the parents part but is worth it in the long run. Email me if you have any questions about Dr. Weissbluth, I am very impressed with his knowledge and methods.
Sincerely,
L.

It is amazing how quickly your daughter will respond to a new routine. She'll want to do what the other kids in preschool are doing. It will take a week or so to adjust but she'll be into her new routine in no time flat.

Good luck!

I would suggest getting her up at the time you need her to and start put her down for a nap a little earlier each day until she is on the schedule you need her to be on. As for the weekends, I wouldn't worry too much. My daughter is kind of on a schedule (we try, but she is not always cooperative when it comes to sleeping), but a lot of the time the weekends get messed up. But she always bounces back for the weeknights.

HI A.,
I don't think that you'll have a hard time, when she starts preschool, she will be tired and will adjust to her new schedule. It might take her a week at school, but she'll adjust, then you can put her down ealier for bed and naps when you have her at home. My son is 3 also, and I had him start a summer camp a few months ago, same similiar pattern as your daughter pre preschool. I thought he'd have a hard time, but playing so hard with others and being out of his "home element", he took to the new nap and schedule with no problem and started going to bed earlier. Of course weekends are messed up...sometimes with no nap etc...but he is okay with it. I wouldn't worry too much. If you let the teachers know also, they'll at least be aware...but with her playing with others and doing a lot of activities..I think she'll be ready for a earlier nap...everyone else is on the same schedule...and she'll realize that also. She'll want to be a part of what everyone else is doing.
Good Luck

Hi A.-Marie,

It's great that you realize how important getting enough sleep is for your child especially while still so young! Sounds like she is a great sleeper! We also appreciated the book someone else mentioned by Dr Marc Weissbluth, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" so maybe you can get hold of it and see what you think. Sounds like you are very involved parents and like spending time with your daughter - which is as it should be. :)

My next comment may not be well received by many but that's fine - there are many opinions out there, mine is simply one more (no flames necessary! :) ) I'm wondering "Why put her in preschool at all right now?" Sounds like you have a great system at work already, and everything that is "taught" at preschool a child can easily learn at home, with a bit of help here and there from caring adults (like your mother-in-law and you/your h). There is no legal or educational reason your little girl needs to be enrolled, especially at such an early age.

You mentioned you and your h are not generally schedule oriented - I'm sure you've already realized that choosing to go the route of public (or even organized private) schooling is opening your life up to a whole world of outwardly-imposed scheduling for the next 15 years or so from now. Have you ever considered homeschooling? It's definitely not as hard as people often think - especially since you work from home and have a supportive family member involved in caring for your daughter as well (your mother in law) I'd respectfully suggest you might investigate and give it a try. There are tons of resources available for free online and at the public libraries, and lots of active homeschool groups for support and socialization. There are a plethora of activities year round for homeschooled families - social, sports, language, math, science, music, art, travel and more - all in the Bay area alone.

If you're concerned about the quality of education you may be able to give your child - no worries there. Many well supported studies over the years have proven that homeschooled people are much better educated and well adjusted than their counterparts (who didn't have the advantages of home schooling) and they also do much better on average when they attend college.

Successful homeschooling doesn't require a specific "teacher education" or background on the part of the parents, it simply requires a love for spending time with your child and a love for learning coupled with a curiosity for life, which will naturally be communicated to your child. With the advent of the internet, homeschool has become easier than ever before. As your child grows, their learning can naturally become more and more independent, and many HS students finish their "high school" education well ahead of their peers and are then free to attend university or explore other options for their future. I'm very happy to tell you that "preschool" aged homeschooling is the easiest there is - and it's a lot of fun (speaking from experience). :)

I didn't mean to hijack your post about sleep scheduling and make it all about homeschooling! LOL! But I did feel it was a fabulous alternative you may not have considered, and for the good of your child it's definitely worth considering, IMO. :) Then the sleep scheduling wouldn't have to change at all so your original question would be a moot point. Check it out...give yourself and your daughter time. If you decide against it in the end, she can easily begin preschool at the more-usual age of 4, and no harm done by waiting.

Whatever you decide, best wishes to you and your precious daughter!

God bless your family,

S.

If you have a few days to do this, make the shift gradually. Put her to bed at 9 p.m. at first, then at 8:30 p.m., then at 8:00 p.m. If she's up earlier then the nap will come more easily, but you can apply the same principle of 30 minute changes to the nap. Get her good and exhausted in all cases, as good excercise helps us sleep, even adults. I agree with someone else, establish a routine, too. By the way, my 4-year old starts school next week and I'll have the same problem, so you've got me thinking I'll need to start on my end, too.

First I just want to say that my son is on a similar "schedule" as your daughter right now and it works for us too.

To make this work for both of you let her make the adjustment as it happens. She probably won't have any trouble napping earlier. She will be very active at school and probably tire earlier than at your mother's. Also you'd be surprised that when all the kids lay down to nap that your daughter will most likely just do it too. There's no reason to stay awake when all her buddies are sleeping. I would then just start the bedtime routine a little earlier. She will probably be ready to sleep. With the weekends keep having fun. I wouldn't keep her up way late but if she is flexible enough and you enjoy your more lax routine on the weekend go ahead and enjoy it. Life is meant to be enjoyed. She'll let you know by her behavior on the weekends if she needs to stay closer to her weekday routine.

Honestly I don't think you should be stressing out that much about your daughter's schedule change. Children that age are easier to adjust to a new schedule. She might have a little trouble maybe for the first week, but she should be fine after that. Just let her go with the flow. Her waking up earlier and having all those things to do in preschool will have her tired enough to sleep by 8, and soon you'll see that she's adjusted. Hope it works out. Good Luck!

I read that you should gradually change the child's schedule, 15 minutes at a time. So it will take days in your situation to get her to the school schedule (i.e. put her to bed at 9:15 the first night, 9:00 the next night, etc.)

Good luck!