Get Children To Nap Problem!

[vivivi113]

I have been working in a daycare for a several months. I usually work with different groups of children, depends on the ratio.
I have a big problem here. Children refuse to go to SLEEP!!! Not all of them refuse to sleep, but at least some of them. I usually tell them to lay down on their cots, listen to the music we play and close eyes. I explain to them that napping can relax their bodies so they can play in the afternoon, otherwise, they will be tired.
They just ignore me!
However, when other teachers come in and tell them to lay down, children will do it right away! What is the problem?
What should I do?

[Ariana]

Is there a consequence you can have for the behavior? We would sometimes put a cot outside the door and make a child sleep out there on their cot (or lay down) if they were disruptive to the group. There has to be some kind of consequence so they know you mean business. Ask the other teachers what they do as well.

[Play Care]

I have been working in a daycare for a several months. I usually work with different groups of children, depends on the ratio.
I have a big problem here. Children refuse to go to SLEEP!!! Not all of them refuse to sleep, but at least some of them. I usually tell them to lay down on their cots, listen to the music we play and close eyes. I explain to them that napping can relax their bodies so they can play in the afternoon, otherwise, they will be tired.
They just ignore me!
However, when other teachers come in and tell them to lay down, children will do it right away! What is the problem?
What should I do?

It sounds as if you are using a lot of words, when they just need to be told "BED, NOW!" firmly.

[Josiegirl]

A consequence would be a good idea. I know a lot of providers don't agree with the 1-2-3 method but my dcks usually react a lot better before I get to 3(or they lose whatever privilege I decided). They shouldn't need for the count to happen; they should just lay down and rest but since they don't.....might be worth a shot. I don't use the counting method very often, just enough for it to still be effective.

[daycarediva]

Teacher voice. It's rest time, lay down.

You could use OTHER times to explain the importance of rest. My own crew have (and always have) responded well to me explaining that the only time you grow is when you're sleeping. I'm pretty short, (about 5' even) so I tell them I didn't sleep/nap enough when I was little. They all WANT to be big, so this works great. Only, that's a discussion for lunch time, and then "Hurry up and sleep, so you can grow" and I always make a point to make comments when they wake up.
"Did you grow? Oh my goodness you're TALLER!" now and then, too.

[Josiegirl]

Teacher voice. It's rest time, lay down.

You could use OTHER times to explain the importance of rest. My own crew have (and always have) responded well to me explaining that the only time you grow is when you're sleeping. I'm pretty short, (about 5' even) so I tell them I didn't sleep/nap enough when I was little. They all WANT to be big, so this works great. Only, that's a discussion for lunch time, and then "Hurry up and sleep, so you can grow" and I always make a point to make comments when they wake up.
"Did you grow? Oh my goodness you're TALLER!" now and then, too.

I'm stealing this idea.

[vivivi113]

Is there a consequence you can have for the behavior? We would sometimes put a cot outside the door and make a child sleep out there on their cot (or lay down) if they were disruptive to the group. There has to be some kind of consequence so they know you mean business. Ask the other teachers what they do as well.

What other teachers usually do is to "warn" them- tell them if they don't go to sleep, they are going to the office. When they hear "office", they will lay down right away.
However, if I say this, there are two problems come up.
First, I can not bring more than one child to the office. I don't want to show them I can't control the classroom.
Second, bring one child to the office can not warn the rest of the class that the behavior is not acceptable. When I ask them if they want to go to the office, they will say "yes."

I feel like they are afraid of a few teachers (maybe all of them), except me.

I tried to different strategies that I have learned from other teachers. However, those strategies work when they use but don't work when I use them.

What is going on????!??!

[vivivi113]

Teacher voice. It's rest time, lay down.

You could use OTHER times to explain the importance of rest. My own crew have (and always have) responded well to me explaining that the only time you grow is when you're sleeping. I'm pretty short, (about 5' even) so I tell them I didn't sleep/nap enough when I was little. They all WANT to be big, so this works great. Only, that's a discussion for lunch time, and then "Hurry up and sleep, so you can grow" and I always make a point to make comments when they wake up.
"Did you grow? Oh my goodness you're TALLER!" now and then, too.

This idea is excellent! I will use it tomorrow LOL~

[vivivi113]

I have been working in a daycare for a several months. I usually work with different groups of children, depends on the ratio.
I have a big problem here. Children refuse to go to SLEEP!!! Not all of them refuse to sleep, but at least some of them. I usually tell them to lay down on their cots, listen to the music we play and close eyes. I explain to them that napping can relax their bodies so they can play in the afternoon, otherwise, they will be tired.
They just ignore me!
However, when other teachers come in and tell them to lay down, children will do it right away! What is the problem?
What should I do?

Just want to let you all know the age of those children- around 2 1/2 to 4 years old.

[Ariana]

It is basically a game to them and they do not trust your authority. My recommendation would be to start being more firm outside of sleep time as well.

I worked with a woman who was the same way. Kids tried to manipulate her all the time during sleep time. She just wasn't firm enough and wanted to be friends with the kids and thought being firm was being "mean".

[daycarediva]

I'm stealing this idea.

I started it with my own kids and just naturally used it with dck's, too. I also use the veggies/fruits/healthy food benefits as 'bribes' as well. I'm not lying, carrots ARE good for your eyes. Protein IS good for your muscles.

[Heart12]

I have been working in a daycare for a several months. I usually work with different groups of children, depends on the ratio.
I have a big problem here. Children refuse to go to SLEEP!!! Not all of them refuse to sleep, but at least some of them. I usually tell them to lay down on their cots, listen to the music we play and close eyes. I explain to them that napping can relax their bodies so they can play in the afternoon, otherwise, they will be tired.
They just ignore me!
However, when other teachers come in and tell them to lay down, children will do it right away! What is the problem?
What should I do?

Are you a floater? I worked in a child care center for 5yrs & every time a floater or a new face came in my room to relieve me for lunch break, the kids would act up. Practice your teacher voice & stern look & be consistent!

[vivivi113]

Yes, I am a floater.
I used to work with 30 months to 3 and half years old. I was fine with them at the beginning. However, after a few months, they started saying "no" to me or yelling at me. They did the same to other teachers, but not that often.

I think they are just trying to test my limits.

By the way, do you guys have any strategies to help them go to sleep?

[ColorfulSunburst]

I feel like they are afraid of a few teachers (maybe all of them), except me.

they are not. I am sure for 95%.
Just during nap time it is more visible if kids don't follow directions of some teachers. You have to look more careful how they follow your direction during a day. By your words, it looks like they think that you are one of them.
For an example: Will a child interrupts his activities for cleaning up after his previous game by your request? If he doesn't what will you do? I even want to ask other question: will you interrupt child's current activities for cleaning up after his previously activity or you just clean up all by your self?

[racemom]

One thing I do when I have someone who won't go to sleep is have them lay on their stomach, hands by their side and eyes closed. If they open their eyes sternly tell them to close them. If you have someone who refuses to lay still, sit by them and place your hand on their back, just light pressure usually helps. Also, do not engage them in conversation. Short simple commands of lay down, close your eyes, lay still. They currently are enjoying all the interaction you are giving them, so they don't fall asleep.

As far as taking someone to the office, if you are going to threaten it, do it. If you take one to the office, that will show the rest you mean business and they will straighten up. As long as they know you will not do it, it is ineffective.