• Rest time needs to be at the same time each day. Establishing rest time as a part of the daily routine will help the children understand when it is time to rest.
• Have each child sleep in the same place, same bed, cot, or crib each day.
• Plan a quiet activity for the children right before rest time, such as reading a story.
• Play soft music during rest time.
• Children should not be made to go to sleep. Encourage them to relax and rest. Sleep usually follows.
• Gentle pats or rubbing on the back sometimes helps a child drift off to sleep more easily.
• If you have a child who can't sleep, offer "quiet time." Children can read a book or listen to a story if they do so quietly.
• Help children understand the importance of rest by saying "resting helps us to grow" or "your body needs to rest to stay well." Children coming to the home after a busy day of school will need some time to be quiet and rest. They may want to read, listen to music, or just be by themselves for a few minutes. Allow children to bring sleep toys or special toys from home to use at rest time.
• When in a home, the nap/rest time will become more personal. There are less children for the caretaker; therefore, the children should have more one-on-one time with the caretaker.
• The amount of space may be less in a home, but use your space wisely. The rest area should be away from any type of play area (including the "quiet time" area).
• Place yourself in an area in which you can see all the areas children are present.

Seefeldt, Carol; Dittmann, Laura L., Family Day Care. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1995. Pp 48-49.

Colker, Lauar; Dodge, Diane T., The Creative Curriculum For Family Day Care, Teaching Strategies, Inc. Gryphon House, Inc.

Dombro, Amy; Colker, Laura J.; Dodge, Diane T., The Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers. Teaching Strategies, Inc.

Harms, T.; Clifford, R., Family Day Care Rating Scale. Teacher's College Press, 1989. Pp17.

Adapted by Carol Bishop and Cathy Grace, Ed.D., Director, MSU Early Childhood Institute. Reviewed and Distributed by Louise E. Davis, Ph.D., MSU-ES Child and Family Development Specialist.

Beaubien, Greg. "Little Sleepers." Chicago Sun-Times, Jan 21, 1996. p. 54

Coren, Stanely. Sleep Thieves: an Eye-Opening Exploration into the Science & Mysteries of Sleep. New York: The Free Press, 1996. p. 109