Activities

Young children learn through play. When young children are actively involved in their own learning and having fun at it, they learn better. You can support their learning by engaging them playfully in everyday activities. The activities on our site are based on everyday experiences, use materials commonly found in the home, and most importantly designed to encourage children’s healthy development in all areas (physical, social emotional, language and literacy, and cognitive).

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Make a Bedtime Routine Chart PDF FACEBOOK SHARE ICON.

Use a bedtime routine chart each night to remind your child of her routine.

What You Need:

• Printed/drawn pictures of different steps in the bedtime routine


• Construction paper


• Glue


• Markers

What To Do:

1. Talk with your child about the things she does before going to sleep. For example, taking a bath, changing into her pajamas, brushing her teeth, reading books, then saying goodnight.


2. Next, take a photo of your child engaged in each of these steps and print them OR have her draw a picture of herself doing each of these activities on a small square piece of paper about 3”x 3”. You will need one small piece of paper for each of the activities in her routine.


3. Put the pictures in the correct sequence and glue each of the pictures onto the paper. The pictures should be in the order of her bedtime routine.


4. Number and label the steps of her bedtime routine under each picture. For example, under the first photo write, “1. I take a bath”.


5. Tape the Bedtime Routine Chart to a wall where she can see it. Each night before starting the routine, go over the steps to remind her of her routine. You might also want to review the steps after completing them before saying goodnight.

 

Banana & Nutmeg Smoothie PDF FACEBOOK SHARE ICON.

This sleep-inducing ingredients in this smoothie make it a great bedtime snack for children and adults.

What You Need:

• 1 banana


• 1-1/2 cup almond milk


• 1/4 Tbsp. nutmeg


• 2 Tbsp. honey

What To Do:

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.


2. Pour into a cup and enjoy your bedtime smoothie.

Adapted from https://restonic.com/blog/smoothie-recipes-sweet-dreams-2546

Goodnight Teddy Bear Ritual PDF FACEBOOK SHARE ICON.

Have your child go through a bedtime routine with her teddy bear.

What You Need:

• Child’s teddy bear or another favorite stuffed animal.


• Pajamas for teddy (small clothing item or onesie, or small lightweight blanket)


• Pillow case, or cardboard box for teddy’s bed

 

What To Do:

1. When children see something other than themselves participate in a bedtime routine, this helps them see and do what is expected of them. At bedtime, have your child go through a bedtime routine with her teddy bear.


2. Have her dress teddy in pajamas (or wrap him in a lightweight blanket).


3. Encourage her to read a story to teddy, or you can read to both teddy and her.


4. Next, have her tuck teddy into a pillow case, or place him in a “bed” next to her.


5. Say “Goodnight” to teddy.

Establishing a Bedtime Story Ritual PDF FACEBOOK SHARE ICON.

Include a story in your baby's bedtime routine from the day she is born.

What You Need:

• Any children’s book, especially books with simple colorful pictures

What To Do:

1. Look for tired cues such as grimacing, clenching fists, or crying. After seeing the first tired signs (day or night), plan to settle baby by going through your established bedtime routine.


2. Include a story in your baby’s bedtime routine from the day she is born. Reading stories with verses that have a gentle cadence helps babies filter out the stimulating world around them and relax.


3. Choose a quiet, comfortable spot to cuddle up and read to your baby, using a gentle, quiet tone.


4. Let her touch the book and point to the pictures.  Acknowledge her, “Yes, the cow is jumping over the moon.” However, save the more active interactions for your daytime readings.