One of the most troublesome issues for new parents is their child’s sleep pattern. Infants usually sleep a lot for body development, but it’s a different story for toddlers at the age of 4.
Summer is in full bloom, so they tend to be active most of the time, causing headaches for inexperienced parents.
What time should a 4 year old go to bed? As hyperactive as the children are, they need more sleep to recover energy from all the activities.
A 4-year-old should never lack rest since it would cause harm to their neural system development.
In this article, let’s find out the appropriate bedtime for 4-year-old babies and how to help them hit the sack on time!
What Time Should A 4 Year Old Go To Bed And Why?
Most people suggest that children should go to sleep as soon as possible.
The average bedtime for 4-year-old kids is between 6:00 P.M and 8:00 P.M; however, depending on the temperature and weather conditions, you can arrange your children’s consistent bedtime to ensure that their physical and mental health can develop properly.
In winter, it is easier for children to be drowsy due to the low temperature, which makes the best time for bed is from 6:00 P.M to 6:30 P.M.
On the contrary, in the blazing summer heat, don’t be surprised to see your baby still standing on his head or rolling around even when the bedtime has passed. In such cases, you can allow your children to stay up a bit longer, up to 8:00 P.M.
Most kids from 3 to 6 nowadays get inadequate sleep. More than 50% of American toddlers only sleep after 9:00 P.M.
Many reasons contribute to this issue, such as ignorant parents, lousy environment, insects, trouble sleeping, etc.
The time for bed and sleep routine is one of the most important factors contributing to a child’s development. According to sleep experts, if a child gets enough shut-eye, he is less likely to experience depression than others.
Kids who go to bed later tend to have emotional issues more frequently as they grow up, so it’s important to maintain a good sleep schedule.
How Do I Know If My 4-Year-Old Child Is Getting Enough Sleep?
Unlike adults, it is slightly more difficult to identify insufficient sleep in an overtired child. Some of the characteristics and behaviors are listed below:
Inconsistent Sleep Time
This is the most recognizable trait to find. Dozy children tend to fall asleep at inconsistent periods such as afternoon, early evening, etc.
Late bedtime and waking up too early or too late in the morning is also a sign. They may be fatigued more often due to lack of rest.
Lack of Motivation
Frequent restless hours deprive children’s interest in any activities. What’s worse is their interest in meals is also affected, even if it’s their favorite food.
Lack of motivation also shows in their declining performance in learning and outdoor activities.
Illness And Emotional Issues
Prolonged bad sleeping habits can easily make children vulnerable to diseases, as their immune system is impaired by insufficient rest.
Moreover, they can get upset or irritated from time to time without cause, leading to tantrums and bad behaviors.
How Do I Help My 4-Year-Old Kids Go To Sleep On Time?
The key to a child’s good bedtime routine is to comfort them and make sure that they feel sleepy.
No energetic child would want to hit the hay while they are full of beans with many fun things to discover. The sleeping environment and sleep position are also important factors.
At least an hour before bedtime, you should keep your child from electronic devices such as TV, tablet, audiobook, or smartphone. Screen time does no good for a sound sleep.
Instead, you can spend some time on fun activities such as coloring, jigsaw puzzles, quizzes, block-building, or card games.
Make sure that your children have had their fill before bedtime. A warm cup of milk is a classic way to drive them to sleep.
Don’t let them eat or drink too much, or the toilet will be their next destination. After that, comfortable pajamas and teeth hygiene are the next steps to a goodnight’s sleep.
Last but not least, don’t forget some good old bedtime stories for the children. A brief excitement is always a great method to drain their last bit of “leftover” energy, allowing them to slumber at ease.
Let some dim light on if your children are afraid of the dark. Don’t forget the last goodnight to show your love to them.
Child Sleep Chart By Age
0 – 12 Months old (14 – 16 Hours of Sleep Per Day)
Infants require a lot of sleep, up to 14 to 16 hours a day. At earlier stages of life, there’s not much difference between their sleeping periods. The more they rest, the better they develop.
Baby’s sleep patterns only become more like adults when they are close to 1 year old or the baby is too big for the bassinet.
1 – 3 Years Old (12 – 14 Hours of Sleep Per Day)
Around this period, toddlers are more energetic while learning to walk, crawl and talk.
They need less time to sleep than infants, but an afternoon nap is also required for the best development at mid-day.
3 – 6 Years Old (10 – 12 Hours of Sleep Per Day)
This is one of the most important periods for a school-aged child’s brain growth.
Excessive activities and learning require up to 12 hours of nap time to balance between wake time and resting.
FAQs
What Is The Bedtime For 4-Year-Old No Nap?
If your little one doesn’t take a nap during the day, the most appropriate time for bed at night would be around 7:00 P.M.
This will ensure that they will wake up early while getting enough sleep.
What Is 4-Year-Old Sleep Regression?
Sleep regression in 4-year-olds is related to their behaviors. As time passes, your child’s sleeping habits will reduce to shorter lengths.
You should pay attention to your child since they may face troubles such as waking up at midnight, nightmares, etc.
Conclusion
To assure your child can go to bed at the right time, you should pay attention and be patient with them. They will happily cooperate with you if they can feel your love and affection.
We hope this article has brought an appropriate answer to your question, What time should a four year old go to bed?!
Thank you for reading!