Sleep is very important for the human body. During toddler years, making sure your tot gets enough sleep during day and night time is essential since this helps your tot to fully develop in order for him to grow and function well. However, just like feeding, getting your toddler to sleep is challenging and it can test your patience. To help you out, you need to establish sleep training for your child.

Resistance is your enemy since most toddlers have an innate opposition when it comes to sleeping. At this point, all your tot wants to do is to play all day long. Thus, teaching him toddler sleep training is a must. Helping your toddler learn the skill of sleep is actually easy with these tips.

Sleep training your toddler can use all your energy, determination, patience and your creativity. It is like going to a battle with your child. The following are some easy to apply toddler sleep training tips:

Create Active Morning Routines

What your tot does in the morning affects his sleep during the night. Establish a daytime routine to sleep train him. Most likely, your toddler will doze off quickly during the night. Have a specific time for him to wake up in the morning. Once your child wakes up late, everything changes; from his nap time, daily activities down to his bedtime. Let your tot play during day time. Encourage him to get involved in physical activities such as running, playing in the playground, a visit to the park or the zoo or swimming. Rigorous activities guarantee a faster and good night’s sleep making it easier to sleep train him.

Establish A Routine

Your toddler leans on his every day habits to create stability. Set up a routine after his dinner time. Never let your child sleep at once after he has finished eating since this will only increase his resistance. Allow your toddler to have a few hours doing things he likes. Let him play for a while and then move on to his bedtime routine. Here are some examples of bedtime habits both you and your tot can enjoy – eating a snack, bathing, brushing teeth, soft pillow fights, bedtime stories and a cuddle. Quiet activities help your child’s energy to mellow creating a relaxed atmosphere making him sleep in no time. Once he grows accustomed to his bedtime routine, security is established since he knows what to do and what will happen next.

Use Your Imagination

If after bedtime practices your tot is still wide awake, it is time to step up the game. Once he is ready for bed, get creative. You and your toddler can imagine about different things. Allow him to make up his own stories and ride along with it. Most likely after both of you is finished with your story, he is now tired. Sing to him his favorite lullaby to help him go to sleep.

Do Not Let Him Take Late Naps

Napping is good in the middle of the day (after his lunch time) since this helps him restore his energy for his afternoon activities. However, late afternoon naps will only keep him giddy and wide awake come night time. Do not encourage him to take a nap during three or four in the afternoon as this will disrupt his sleep training.

Be Consistent

Sleep training means you have to be consistent with your toddler’s routines. How can you sleep train him if you allow him to stay up late today and order him to sleep early tomorrow right? While it is easy to give in to your child’s demands, you need to be firm. Know that you are sleep training him because it is for his own well-being. Inconsistency on your side will only confuse your tot and once he gets puzzled, you need to sleep train him all over again.

Training your toddler to sleep is essential to reach your child’s full development. Just keep it fun, soothing and enjoyable so your tot will have something to look forward to during the night.