As the parent of a preschooler you likely have come to understand that one of the most challenging tasks on a daily basis is getting your child ready for bed. There are some tips, pointers and suggestions that you can keep in mind when it comes to having an easier time in getting your child ready for bed. By following these tips, you will be making your life and your child’s life a bit easier.
Establish a Set Bedtime Schedule
Perhaps the most important step that you need to take in regard to getting your preschooler ready for bed is the establishment of a consistent bedtime. Of course there will be instances in which your child can (and should be) permitted to stay up later than normal. However, experts across the board universally agree that establishing a consistent bedtime for children is of great importance on many levels.
Is a Bedtime Snack a Good Idea?
Yes and no. When all is said and done, there is nothing wrong with giving your child a light and healthy snack before bedtime. However, you need to make sure that your child is not given a “heavy” or calorie rich snack before bedtime. If you do so, you may effect your child’s ability to sleep.
There can be something comforting by offering your child a light, healthy snack before bed. It provides your child with a sense of satisfaction, that when done correctly, can be very helpful in ensuring that your child falls into a sound sleep in a quicker amount of time.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
In addition to establishing a set bedtime, you will also want to ensure that you establish an overall bedtime routine that you do not significantly alter from night to night unless absolutely necessary. For example, you should establish a task list of what your child (provided he or she is of a certain age) will need to do in the process of getting ready for bedtime. This can include getting dressed for bed, brushing teeth, perhaps a bedtime prayer if that is part of your own family’s traditions, perhaps a bedtime story.
The Bedtime Story
Although it may seem like a cliche, you may want to give serious consideration to sharing a bedtime story with your child at bedtime. (Of course, you need to make certain that this is an age appropriate activity.) The bedtime story can be a chance to really make long lasting memories for you and your child … memories that really will last a lifetime.
By following these suggestions, you will be able to have an easier time getting your preschooler ready for bed with ease and happiness.
译文:
让你的学龄前小孩轻松入睡
作为一个学龄前小孩的父母，相信你已经体会到了每天哄你小孩睡觉是件多么难的事了吧。要轻松地让你的孩子好好睡觉其实是有一些技巧、点子与建议要记住的。按这些技巧来做，你和你的孩子的生活就都会更轻松一点。
建立一套睡觉时间表
要让学龄前小孩好好去睡最重要的一点也许就是建立一套固定的睡觉时间表，当然在某些情况下可以也应该允许你的小孩比平时更晚些睡。这方面的专家普遍认为给小孩建立一套固定的睡觉时间表从许多方面来说都是非常重要的。
睡前吃点东西好不好？
好但又不好。如果该说的说了，该做的做了，给小孩吃点清淡健康的小吃并没有什么不对。然而一定要注意不要在睡前给小孩吃油腻和高热量的食品，否则可能会影响你小孩的入睡能力。
给小孩吃点清淡健康的食品可能会让小孩更舒服，这让小孩有种满足感。如果这样做得好，会让你的小孩在很短的时间内就进入深睡。
建立睡前常规活动
除了建立睡觉时间表，你也许还会想建立一个全面的睡前活动常规，这样除了绝对必要时就不必一天换一个花样了。比如，你可以按他或她的年龄建立一个睡前必需按步骤完成的任务列表。列表可以包括换睡衣，刷牙，如果你家里有习惯的话也可以做睡前祷告，或者睡前讲个故事。
睡前故事
虽然看起来有点太老套，但是也许你应该认真地看待在你的孩子睡觉前与他/她分享一个故事。当然你得先明白这是针对特定年龄段做的事。睡前故事可能真的会成为你和你小孩长久的记忆——可能伴随一生的时间。
按这些建议来做，你就能更轻松地让你的学龄前小孩迅速而快乐地入睡。