Quiet time for toddlers who don't nap? (milk, baby, toys)

[shoes4birds]

My 4 year old goes to school M-F (preschool) and is pretty much past the nap state (unless it's been a really busy day). My two year old still takes two hour naps. On Saturdays and Sundays I'm not sure what to do with her when I need some down time and when my two year old is down for his nap. She also needs this down time because I feel it's good for her to play by herself and have her own quiet time.

My question...

Does (or did) your child have quiet time after they were through with naps? How did you enforce this? What do they do during this time? Toys, books only? Did you have them go into their rooms and be quiet for an hour or so? How did you explain this to them? I do not want the TV on so this is not an option for us (I have a friend who turns on a tv in her daughter's room - my daughter does not have a tv in her room and we don't plan on getting one any time soon as we limit tv exposure).

[mrstewart]

You poor thing, I've been through this with one of my little guys...I always gave him a sippy cup of milk, gave him 3-4 books and put him in his room...I also bought him his own little comfy stuffed chair from Pottery Barn for him to sit in.

If I had to do it over, I would probably get a basket and put a bigger selection of books and a cozy blanket.

BTW, he is almost 9 now and he loves books! Maybe this is why!

[EJRuek]

I like having a quiet time for everyone, including adults on all days, including non-school/non-work days. I sincerely applaud you limiting television and not using it as a baby-sitting device. Even at work, we have an hour of "quiet time" after lunch (lunch is a half hour) where naps or quiet time is encouraged. (Yes I run my own business.)

For family, it's never been a problem because it is part of the home routine, and we live by routines here (breakfast/lunch/dinnner times, clean-up time, chore time, movie time, book time, wash days, baking days, etc.). Extended family and friends who visit, though, aren't used to these routines. I "help" get them into the swing by doing the "happy face" "Oh, and by the way, we do this and this and this, so don't be surprised when..." I help by putting on music at a very quiet volume that stimulates delta waves, and that really helps.

[therewego]

Originally Posted by shoes4birds

My 4 year old goes to school M-F (preschool) and is pretty much past the nap state (unless it's been a really busy day). My two year old still takes two hour naps. On Saturdays and Sundays I'm not sure what to do with her when I need some down time and when my two year old is down for his nap. She also needs this down time because I feel it's good for her to play by herself and have her own quiet time.

My question...

Does (or did) your child have quiet time after they were through with naps? How did you enforce this? What do they do during this time? Toys, books only? Did you have them go into their rooms and be quiet for an hour or so? How did you explain this to them? I do not want the TV on so this is not an option for us (I have a friend who turns on a tv in her daughter's room - my daughter does not have a tv in her room and we don't plan on getting one any time soon as we limit tv exposure).

Yes, I started quiet time when my child was 4 and her younger sibling was 2 1/2 and still napping. I needed this time more than the 4 yr old but it was good for both of us. Basically I said it was nap time and my 4 yr old would still go into her room, look at books, play quietly. Sometime she would come out after a 1/2 hour and I would send her back and at times, I'd go check on her to get her out and she was napping! If you just put them both at the same time and tell the oldest that she needs to be quiet but she can play or look at books but she needs to stay in her room, that should work. Good luck, that quiet time is precious for both parties!

[KH02]

When my 1 year old naps, my 4 year old gets to pick out a movie (disney) or show to watch and that's his only TV time for the day and it is usually about 1 1/2 hours, he is 4.

[skhimmelreich]

My daughter has quiet time while my son naps- she is 5 and he is 3. Sometimes she is allowed to watch Noggin or sprout, but she usually will color or play with her dolls. She also loves to look at books- try I Spy books! I don't think that letting your child watch TV is a terrible thing, especially if you are choosy about programs and it is limited to down time. I know that when I need some relaxing time- sometimes TV is the best medicine. Good luck!

[pinetreelover]

When my younger one was still napping, I sent the older one (about 4 yrs. old) to his room for quiet time. The rules were that he had to stay in his room and I couldn't hear him. Books, quiet toys... were fine - he wasn't expected to nap, but often drifted off on his own.

Keep working at this as you are on the right track. Everyone needs a bit of quiet in their day and needs to learn how to soothe themselves with quiet time activies.

[dr74]

Your daughter is 4 and old enough to know what quiet time is.
I would make a tote or box for her full of quiet activities for her to engage in while your 2 yr old is napping.
Colring books (Updated weekly) and this can be done cheaply by visiting dollar stores. Painting which also can be purchased at dollar stores and giving her an old t-shirt. Finger painting with chocolate pudding mix, again done outside with an old t-shirt and newsprint which can purchased cheaply at the local newspaper dept. Paper dolls, barbies, and ect. Everychild this age knows the meaning of quiet time.

[121804]

Originally Posted by shoes4birds

My 4 year old goes to school M-F (preschool) and is pretty much past the nap state (unless it's been a really busy day). My two year old still takes two hour naps. On Saturdays and Sundays I'm not sure what to do with her when I need some down time and when my two year old is down for his nap. She also needs this down time because I feel it's good for her to play by herself and have her own quiet time.

My question...

Does (or did) your child have quiet time after they were through with naps? How did you enforce this? What do they do during this time? Toys, books only? Did you have them go into their rooms and be quiet for an hour or so? How did you explain this to them? I do not want the TV on so this is not an option for us (I have a friend who turns on a tv in her daughter's room - my daughter does not have a tv in her room and we don't plan on getting one any time soon as we limit tv exposure).

Both of mine nap ( 3 & 1), but when I see that my toddler will not be napping, he still has quiet time when my 1yr old is napping. In his room, sitting in his bed with books for about 45-60 mins. No tv or toys though there is no tv in his room nor are there many toys; mostly books.

I just tell him that it is time to have some quiet and relax. He likes to know what is going to be going on after his nap or quiet time, so we talk about it. I do go in once or twice to check on him.

Like everyone else has mentioned, it's good to have the quiet time for yourself and for your child even at 4.

[I love the Bears]

My kids were all nappers - even when they thought they were too old! I am going through this with my 6 year old now. I get her books on tape/cd without the accompanying book. She has to lay down - usually on the floor in her sleeping bag - or sometimes in mommy and daddy's room.
The kids love it and it's so good for them at that age - it really helps build their imagination. My older two listened to the BBC's version of the Chronicles of Narnia this way when they were little and now that the movies are out it's funny to hear them say - "Oh I pictured him/her bigger/older...."
My 10 year old is getting The Harry Potter series on CD this year for Christmas and the 6 year old is getting the Frog and Toad books on CD...