Naptime Another daily lesson in practical life Naptime (or rest time) is an important part of the day. It allows children a time to recharge and to process the experiences of the day. This restful period (from 12:30 to 2:30 PM) also prevents the child from becoming overly worn-out.
In the Montessori classroom, consistency is everything. This is especially true during nap time. We begin nap time after lunch and after the children spend some time being physically active. When it is time to rest, we play quiet music and draw the curtains.
The inventor of the method, Dr. Maria Montessori, believed that children thrive when given the freedom to move and learn independently. So, generally speaking, a Montessori bed is a mattress without restrictive railings around it, close enough to the floor so that the child can get in and out of it by himself.
A simple explanation is that the Montessori three-hour work cycle is a period of intense, independent immersion when students have the freedom to choose what activity or activities they would like to work on based on their interests.
Preschoolers. Preschoolers generally take one nap per day, lasting one to two hours. However, some preschoolers might not need a nap at all.
How Long Should Naps Be at Daycare? As a Pediatric Sleep Coach, I can tell you that the ideal length of a nap should be between an hour and a half to 2 hours long. This goes for both babies and toddlers. In a perfect world, each nap would last 1.5 – 2 hours, both at daycare and at home.
Depending on the age group, younger children may be given naps throughout the day based on their own schedule and need for sleep. Toddlers may start to have a set naptime after lunch as a class. Preschool children may have a group nap time and the opportunity to play or read quietly if they no longer nap.
In the Montessori Method it is very important to allow the children flexibility in choosing their activities. It is equally important to provide them with many stimulating activities to choose from, and to give them support and guidance while they perform their chosen tasks.
Throughout the typical day in the Montessori classroom, kids get lots of practice interacting with others. In addition, kids practice decision-making skills. Children have to choose which activities to do, where to work, and how long to do work on any given activity.
In the Montessori classroom, the flow of the day is dictated by the daily routine for each age group. This routine provides a predictable and consistent pattern of activities throughout the day, including: learning time, meal times, rest time, and outdoor play.
The importance of independence
This means that instead of using traditional methods such as "cry it out" or other forms of sleep training that may involve leaving a child to cry alone, the Montessori approach encourages parents to support their child as they learn to fall asleep on their own.
Like with most other Montessori-powered approaches, the floor bed allows the child to explore and move around independently- something that cannot be done when the child is in a crib.
Floor Beds Allows Freedom of Movement
This encourages them to explore their surroundings and fosters independence and children are permitted to discover the world around them on their own.
Typically bedtime routines are around 20-30 minutes, but for a nap routine, I would encourage you to keep it to about 10-15 minutes. For example, if part of your bedtime routine involves a bath, fresh diaper, stories, songs, cuddle, sleep sack, sound machine, and lights out, your naptime routine can look similar!
Most toddlers will stop napping between 3 and 4 years old. Current research shows that less than 2.5% of toddlers will stop napping before age 2, while 94% stop napping by age 5. I find most toddlers do best with maintaining that nap until they're about 4 years old.
In quiet time, a child plays with low-key toys or activities and takes a (safe) little break to reset for the rest of the day. Quiet time is just as crucial as nap time – to kids and caregivers.
Often called 'Stage 1', children in a Montessori Children's House preschool will normally attend 5 days a week, with 3-4 year olds attending morning sessions, then moving to the full day session in the final year (extended day). Montessori Early Learning Centres offer this programme within their long day care settings.
Simply put, the Montessori approach to play is learning skills that have a practical application…in a fun way. According to the movement's founder, Maria Montessori, “Play is the work of the child.” Her vision was to combine play with learning and satisfy a child's curiosity while still allowing them to have fun.
The Montessori follows five elementary habits that include washing hands, deep breathing, safety practice, exercise and proper diet. The child will remain healthy and happy when they will follow these guidelines at home as well.
Children are given the opportunity to develop concentration, order, cooperation, independence and a love of exploration. During this time the teacher in the classroom (called a Guide) is giving individual or small group lessons and observing what children are choosing.
False fatigue is a term used for the work cycle in which the focus is lost. It happens after an interval of working hours. With the passage of each minute, the classroom might get louder, and you will notice the kids are getting distracted from their work.
Teachers will present formal Three-Period Lessons on the parts of the clock, the "minute hand," "second hand" and "hour hand," for example, or skip counting lessons counting the minutes by fives around the sixty segments of the clock face.
Make sure your child's nap isn't so late in the afternoon that they aren't tired when it's bedtime. Experts recommend keeping at least three hours between the end of a nap and bedtime. So if your child's bedtime is between 7 and 8 p.m., don't put them down for a nap after 3 p.m. or so.
Daycares involve the toddlers in naptime routines.
That's why daycares involve them in the naptime routine as much as possible. For instance, they may ask the child to help carry their blanket to the nap area in the toddler room. They may also let the toddler choose their own stuffed animal or lovey to sleep with.
Do Children Need Nap Time? Most states require that children in full-day daycare or preschool have a rest period during the day. Generally, that period is at least two hours and in a childcare center, often ratio laws differ during nap time, allowing teachers to take their break and have lunch.