Afternoon naps

[schellen]

When my DD reached 5 or so, she only took naps occasionally. However, we still asked her to rest her eyes, lie down or do something calming and relaxing like read or draw, etc. Anything that doesn’t involve active, boisterous play. Now that she is in P1, she tells us that sometimes, she doesn’t really take naps at After School Care.

[mrswongtuition]

Actually for 3yo, they still need their nap at least 1hr per day.


Since your child is attending school from 1-6pm, my suggestion would be to change your child’s schedule:
7am - wake up
10am - nap for 1-2 hours
9pm - bedtime

Or you can forgo the nap but need to adjust bedtime to an earlier time. My boy is 2.5yo now and he still needs around 2 hours of nap a day. If he misses his nap, he’ll fall asleep 2-3 hours before his usual bedtime. & you will see eyebags. So no matter what, we will arrange his enrichments before or after his nap times.

[IJJ]

Elder child did away her afternoon nap since 5 yo, younger one, currently 3 yo, afternoon nap is still a must-have.

[pea]

Thanks for all your replies.


The afternoon class is a repetition of the morning class, so no time for naps. I was told that most of the children in the class sleep early at night and wake up late (like 10am), so they don’t need afternoon nap.

I too have reservations about putting him in afternoon class, but not much choice as all the pre-schools close to my place are full in the morning!

[Fairy]

pea:

Hi. Was wondering how old your children were when they stopped taking their afternoon naps. :snooze:


My boy, who is turning 3 soon, has been enrolled into a preschool afternoon session. Unfortunately, its morning sessions are full and I've been put on waiting list, so I decided to try out the school's afternoon class first. The class runs from 1 to 6pm. Which means he can't take his usual afternoon nap.

Any parents out there facing this same problem too? Are your children able to miss the afternoon nap with no problems?

Hi,
My daughter is 12 and still taking her afternoon naps! Her school's single session and dismiss at 1.30pm. She'll have her lunch after she reaches home & sleeps till evening. When she has to stay back for supplementary class or CCAs, she'll reach home around 5pm & sleep till it's time for dinner. She wakes up at 5plus in the morning and sleeps around 9 plus to 10pm at night. She used to sleep at 8.30pm when she was in her lower primary. Don't understand why she needs so much sleep!

My son used to sleep as much as my daughter when he was in primary school. Now in sec1, he simply has no time for such luxury.

[mrswongtuition]

Fairy:

Hi,

My daughter is 12 and still taking her afternoon naps! Her school's single session and dismiss at 1.30pm. She'll have her lunch after she reaches home & sleeps till evening. When she has to stay back for supplementary class or CCAs, she'll reach home around 5pm & sleep till it's time for dinner. She wakes up at 5plus in the morning and sleeps around 9 plus to 10pm at night. She used to sleep at 8.30pm when she was in her lower primary. Don't understand why she needs so much sleep!

My son used to sleep as much as my daughter when he was in primary school. Now in sec1, he simply has no time for such luxury.

When I was schooling I took naps, even when I was in poly!
I would reach home around 2.30pm during sec sch time, bathe, eat lunch, nap from 3-6pm, wake up for TV & dinner, then proceed to do my homework. & I'll sleep by 10pm.

Even now I still take naps in the afternoons if time permits (usually once or twice a week).

Some people just need more sleep, some can do with very little sleep.

[Jennifer]

pea:

Thanks for all your replies.


The afternoon class is a repetition of the morning class, so no time for naps. I was told that most of the children in the class sleep early at night and wake up late (like 10am), so they don't need afternoon nap.

I too have reservations about putting him in afternoon class, but not much choice as all the pre-schools close to my place are full in the morning!

I am not comfortable with children waking up so late. It could be a very difficult habit to break in future. My elder boy was used to waking up late. He had a hard time adjusting to morning session in P2.

I believe the reason why presch are full in the morning is proof that the afternoon arrangement is not favourable. If you are a SAHM and could keep your child at home for the meantime, then put your name on waitlist for morning slot. Besides, a 3 y.o. really does not need to go to presch. JMHO

[westmom]

Fairy:

Hi,

My daughter is 12 and still taking her afternoon naps! Her school's single session and dismiss at 1.30pm. She'll have her lunch after she reaches home & sleeps till evening. When she has to stay back for supplementary class or CCAs, she'll reach home around 5pm & sleep till it's time for dinner. She wakes up at 5plus in the morning and sleeps around 9 plus to 10pm at night. She used to sleep at 8.30pm when she was in her lower primary. Don't understand why she needs so much sleep!

My son used to sleep as much as my daughter when he was in primary school. Now in sec1, he simply has no time for such luxury.

Fairy - Your dd's pattern is unusual ! I assume she is in P6 and most P6s do not have the luxury of sleeping many hours! She must be quite smart to be able to afford to \"sleep\" much more.

[Luvkid]

pea:

.....Are your children able to miss the afternoon nap with no problems?

I find that afternoon nap is still needy for a 3 yo.If they dun nap, they get cranky in the evening. I always \"force\" DS2 to nap at least for an hour or even up to 2 or 3 hours during weekends, when we were out, he will have to sleep in the stroller, this frequent happen as i always arrange our outings in the morning and to reach home before 3pm, and let him nap till evening.

DS1 had a hard time when trying to overcome afternoon nap. As he has turned to P1 this year (in afternoon session), i started to \"train\" him not to have afternoon nap during weekends on last year. He had been in child care centre all along, so he never miss his afternoon nap during weekdays. It was difficult initially as he complained his leg muscles ache. I help him through by soaking in hot water, or even massage his feet. As time goes by, he grew out of it. Though at times, he will still tell me he has aching feet due to no afternoon nap

Consider to let yr boy remain as per current arrangement till he reaches 5 yo. Sleep/Nap is important for growing child.

[GreenQ]

My kids refused to take afternoon nap since K1. They seem very active and full of energy in the afternoon.


I read somewhr that afternoon nap is good for young children.

So there was a period (abt 2, 3 mths) that when its time for afternoon napping, the war began. :stupid: They took about 1 hour lying on bed before falling to sleep. Sometimes 2 hrs! Really wasted time!!! I hav been tucked them. Warned them. Screamed at them. No use. They really didn't feel to sleep.

Finally I gave up. And adjust their night sleeping time to be earlier for 1.5hrs. So now they go to bed at 9pm and wake up at 7am. Everybody happy for this new schedule.

I think afternoon nap shd only be skipped if the child is ready to do so.