Ideally, toddlers and preschoolers should get between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night. Until age 4, many children also need one or two daytime naps.

However, many youngsters aren’t reaching this sleep ideal. Many children ages 1 to 5 refuse to go to bed or have trouble going back to sleep after they wake up during the night.

A Nighttime Routine for Your Youngster

• Include 20 minutes of calm activities, such as reading or a warm bath, before bedtime. This helps your child mentally prepare for bed.
• Keep a set bedtime as well as a set wake-up time and nap time.
• Limit TV time and video games before bed. They can make your child too excited to sleep. Also, avoid keeping a TV or computer in your child’s room. Children can easily use these when they think you’re not paying attention.
• Keep your child’s bedroom quiet and comfortable. It’s OK if your child finds comfort with a stuffed toy or special blanket in bed. It’s also fine to keep a nightlight on or the door partly open if this makes your child comfortable.
• Make sure your child gets enough exercise during the day. Children should get at least 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity on most days of the week. Some guidelines suggest that children need an hour of activity on most days of the week.
• Try to limit your child’s caffeine intake. Common sources of caffeine include soft drinks and chocolate.