Tips for getting your five year old to sleep

Once your little one is no longer a baby you’d have liked to think that sleep would no longer be an issue, but for some parents sleepless nights are still very much a thing.

Here are some top tips for ensuring when you put your little one to bed they go down easily and then you don’t see them again until this morning…

Keep an eye on their diet

Ensure they’re not having any sugar/caffeine later in the day. It can even be worthwhile cutting fruit any time after lunch initially incase the sugar from that is keeping them awake.

Fresh air and exercise

A five year old needs a minimum of 180 minutes of exercise a day. This can be really hard to achieve on a school day if they don’t have P.E. booked in, so have a think about where else they can get some fresh air and exercise - could they walk to school instead of drive? Go for a play in the park after school etc.

The right environment

Having good sleep hygiene can go such a long way - ensure their room isn’t too light, there’s nothing with any blue light. It’s also important for them to have a positive mindset around their sleep space - if they have any level of anxiety around bed time it’s definitely worth spending some time playing in their room, letting them choose some new covers - really working on them being excited to go into that space to go to bed.

Love bomb them

At this age there is so much going on physically and developmentally. Around school, work, socialisiing and other siblings it can be really difficult to get special one on one time which can really lead to behavioural issues and problems at bedtime. Try to prioritise just 10 minutes a day where it’s you and them, no screens and just make them feel like you have their undivided attention.

It’s never too late

You don’t have to just settle that your little one isn’t a good sleeper and never will be, there’s plenty of different techniques you can try which can get you back to a full nights sleep.