How Important Is Rest Time for Children

All children no matter what age need a sleep, rest or quiet time in their day. This will enable them to feel refreshed and rested. All childcare centers, kindergartens, and preschools have rest time as a policy when caring for children.

Children are very busy people. They are active in their play and we arrange activities for them which may require concentration and language input. Becoming tired is an understandable consequence of play. Being flexible in your days planning is important if you are catering to children and their many needs.

Rest time is often an after lunch plan. It is a good way to ease children in to their rest. They are able to eat lunch, go to the toilet, wash their hands and clean their teeth before settling to rest. Some children will settle immediately but others may need to look at a book for 5 – 10 minutes before settling. Keep to a routine from day one and every child will soon learn that this is rest time. By calling it rest time you will not be placing importance on sleeping as some children will not sleep in the day or at every rest period.

Some Points to Consider at Rest Time

The length of rest time will vary according to the age of the children. Observe each child and adjust time accordingly. How comfortable are the beds or mats and do they need a pillow. Converse with parents about their child’s sleep and rest patterns. Make a short questionnaire for parents to fill in which will give you basic information. Do they need a special comforter, toy or dummy they usually sleep with so they settle well. Decide if you will allow reading books at the beginning and the end of rest time. Decide if quiet music will be played.

What do you do with the children who finish their resting early. They could look at books, or listen to a story. You can give them one silent toy to play with. This could be seen as a time for children to sit on a friends bed and socialize. Older children in a class room also need quiet time during the day. This is often a time for quiet reading. Try having blankets you can spread on the grass in the shade for listening to music or a story.

Teachers also need a break so be a role model and do some quiet reading yourself. Resting through the day, be it only for a short period, refreshes everyone and enables them to become focused again on work and play.