How long is naptime/rest time for your 4 year old at preschool?

[Anonymous]

2 hours seems excessive, but our daycares always did the 30 minutes rest then they could play quietly. It was fine. None of mine fell asleep, but if your kid does fall asleep in that window, they probably are tired. I have always had the same policy at home on weekends where we are home. (My kids are 14, 12, and 6 - obviously the older ones don’t need rest time anymore, but now they often choose to take a nap!) I don’t sleep well and need my hour naps on the weekends. I also think down time is good for them. My two younger ones are/were not great about playing independently but they never fought rest time since it was just part of the routine. They always found something to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You guys are crazy. Our 4 year old definitely still needs to nap for at least an hour. At home, she'll nap for 2+ hours and still be ready for bed by 7:30pm. Growing brains need sleep.

You have a high sleep needs child. Your 4 year old sleeps more than my 14 month old. She only sleeps 12.5 hour total a day. If her nap is 3 hours she sleeps 9.5 bedtime. 2 hour nap, 10.5 hours overnight. etc etc

My 4 year old also naps for 2+ hours at home and is ready for bed by 8. All the research suggests that kids at this age hugely benefit from a nap. I don't think this is a 'high sleep needs' situation (whatever the heck that's supposed to mean).

Share the research!

My observation from two kids in preschool is between 3 and 5, kids drop the nap at different paces. Anecdotally about 1/3 nap all the way through preschool, 1/3 drop or significantly decrease it before age 4, 1/3 drop or significantly decrease it before age 3-3.5.

There’s definitely a range which means rigid nap policies are bad, but unfortunately they are a reality. A lot of teacher shifts and break schedules rely on the longer naps and there aren’t a lot of great solutions

DP

I’m sure research shows sleep benefits the littles. Unfortunately I don’t think a kid being willing to nap means they’ll go to bed on time or that they’ll ultimately get more sleep. As a parent and a human, I always felt so battered and berated by sleep advice (even that directed toward adults— I have suffered significant bouts of insomnia) because it’s not just something you can will to happen.

Breaking: most preschool misbehavior is rooted in lack of sleep. Oh, no way, I had no idea! :eye roll:

By and large, parents want their kids to sleep and wish they would sleep more.

We have more behavior issues on the days my 4 yo naps at daycare. When he skips the nap, he has an easier evening and a better transition to sleep. If he naps, he is up til 10 or 11. If he doesn’t, he will go to bed on time. A 4 year old is not the same as a baby or toddler and they may need a nap but they also many not benefit from daytime sleep.

Yes, if it wasn’t clear — I get that completely and this was my experience with my kids as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You guys are crazy. Our 4 year old definitely still needs to nap for at least an hour. At home, she'll nap for 2+ hours and still be ready for bed by 7:30pm. Growing brains need sleep.

You have a high sleep needs child. Your 4 year old sleeps more than my 14 month old. She only sleeps 12.5 hour total a day. If her nap is 3 hours she sleeps 9.5 bedtime. 2 hour nap, 10.5 hours overnight. etc etc

My 4 year old also naps for 2+ hours at home and is ready for bed by 8. All the research suggests that kids at this age hugely benefit from a nap. I don't think this is a 'high sleep needs' situation (whatever the heck that's supposed to mean).

Share the research!

My observation from two kids in preschool is between 3 and 5, kids drop the nap at different paces. Anecdotally about 1/3 nap all the way through preschool, 1/3 drop or significantly decrease it before age 4, 1/3 drop or significantly decrease it before age 3-3.5.

There’s definitely a range which means rigid nap policies are bad, but unfortunately they are a reality. A lot of teacher shifts and break schedules rely on the longer naps and there aren’t a lot of great solutions

DP

I’m sure research shows sleep benefits the littles. Unfortunately I don’t think a kid being willing to nap means they’ll go to bed on time or that they’ll ultimately get more sleep. As a parent and a human, I always felt so battered and berated by sleep advice (even that directed toward adults— I have suffered significant bouts of insomnia) because it’s not just something you can will to happen.

Breaking: most preschool misbehavior is rooted in lack of sleep. Oh, no way, I had no idea! :eye roll:

By and large, parents want their kids to sleep and wish they would sleep more.

We have more behavior issues on the days my 4 yo naps at daycare. When he skips the nap, he has an easier evening and a better transition to sleep. If he naps, he is up til 10 or 11. If he doesn’t, he will go to bed on time. A 4 year old is not the same as a baby or toddler and they may need a nap but they also many not benefit from daytime sleep.

Yes, if it wasn’t clear — I get that completely and this was my experience with my kids as well.

Yes, just more support for the idea that kids are all different