Bedtime Routine Activities
Part Two
Click here for Part One
The nightly bedtime routine doesn't have to be tough!
By using playful parenting techniques such as singing Mother Goose nursery rhymes and incorporating games into the chores, bedtime can be enjoyable for everyone. Here are some more ideas to help you and your child enjoy the last ritual of the day together.
Brushing Teeth
 Parenting tip for your toddler:I find playing the 'your turn...my turn' game really handy at teeth brushing time. It teaches a valuable social skill too. Brushing teeth song (Tune 'Row Your Boat') Brush, brush, brush your teeth,
Brush your teeth tonight,
Back and forth, back and forth,
Before we turn out the light
Repeat as many times as needed and then lift your little one up to turn out the light the last time you sing it.
Pajama or Sleep Suit Time
Pajama Song (Tune: Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)This is the way we put on our pajamas,
put on our pajamas, put on our pajamas,
This is the way we put on our pajamas,
When it's time for bed Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush is a valuable song that is easy to adapt to fit any task.
Winding Down
Great for really active toddlers to help to wind them down ready for bed. If your toddler calms down easily for bed, this is better played during the day.A Fun Calming Game - Start by tickling your toddler from top to toe (neck, tummy, legs and feet)
- Kiss your little one using the same route
- Gently stroke her head and limbs
- Then give her a cuddle
Storytime
Reading to children has so many benefits - bonding, building vocabulary, encouraging literacy, embedding a love of reading and a wonderful relaxing activity to prepare their body for sleep. It's a good plan to give your toddler a choice of two books. What are the best toddler stories? Here are some tips for choosing quality books for toddlers.
Bedtime
The Good Night WalkLike the famous children's book 'Good Night Moon', saying "good night" to the furniture and special stuffed animals in your child's room each night would encourage your child's speech development as well as helping the calming down process. Ironically I wouldn't involve the moon as it's not always there at your child's bedtime and you probably don't want them to notice that yet. ;-) After you tuck your toddler in you could sing a lullaby such as:  Golden Slumbers
Golden slumbers kiss your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
sleep little darling, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby Or the ever popular... Rock-a-bye baby (Note: I like this kinder last line version) Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And mummy'll catch baby, cradle and all. I hope you find the bedtime routine more enjoyable for everyone with these parenting tips for your toddler.
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