At what age do toddlers stop take naps? My son is going on three and still takes naps diligently, however friends of mine have children the same age & they’ve outgrown a nap. I recall I was five years old and still took naps after getting home from kindergarten.
LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 7 months and 3 years old.
My son is 4 and still takes
My son is 4 and still takes a nap everyday. All my kids have taken naps until age 5. Now, sometimes they don't actually sleep but they have to stay in there for at least an hour. That's my time and I am Verrrry protective of my time! Once school starts full time, then the naps go bye-bye, but they still may take one on the weekend to catch up. It's so important to have restful kids. They learn better and are better behaved when rested. Keep them napping!
It's totally up to you and
It's totally up to you and what you think is best for them. When school time comes, however, you'll need them weaned off before either kindergarten or first grade.
Most kindergarten teachers will start the school year off with a nap or quiet time, but by the end of the year that often goes away because the teachers know the students will have to be fully transitioned out of nap time to be First Grade ready.
My kids are 3 and 5 and have
My kids are 3 and 5 and have never been good with naps. My daughter only falls alseep during the day if we are driving around town together. I guess I would say they only truly napped until age two. I think if you can get your kids to take a nap however it is great.
Wow, I say if they will nap
Wow, I say if they will nap and that works for your schedule do it until you can't anymore. What a blessing!
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
I feel as though I need to
I feel as though I need to go back to napping. :)
I remember my kids napping at their daycare/preschool until about age 4. After that the center's teachers encouraged some resting time. Once Kindergarten starts, and now that the kids are going all day, they will need to get used to not napping. However, I will say, at least I knew this to happen in my daughter's all-day class, the teacher also had a 15-minute "rest period." A parent donated mats so they could rest...some kids, including my daughter, took naps...though her naps usually corresponded with nights she would fall asleep after 10 p.m. So she was super tired the next day...BTW, bed time is 8:30 p.m. (but in reality they don't fall asleep until 9 p.m.) I don't encourage late nights, even if sometimes that means I don't get much play time with them.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
My oldest napped through age
My oldest napped through age 4. As long as the nap isn't disrupting your child's night time sleep, stick with the nap.
Some advice: once your child gives up the nap, institute quiet time in his/her bedroom. We did that right away with our son, now six and he spends 1-2 hours playing quietly (no TV) on non-school days. This gives us a much-needed break and him some great time to play and use his imagination.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
My oldest stopped napping at
My oldest stopped napping at age 2 1/2 when we switched him to a bed! He would still fall asleep for a bit in the car most afternoons, though, proving that he did need the extra shut-eye. I also agree with the idea of having non-nappers do a quiet time. We did this, and he STILL has quiet time when he comes home from school. I think it is good for them. My younger child is 3 and still naps... knock on wood!
(Why does my post keep saying "inappropriate term" when there are none used??)
Debbie Akers, a northeast Phoenix mom of three young sons, is a member of the Arizona Republic's Parent Advisory Panel.