Hi Cynthia and Patricia,
Some children will not nap but should be provided quiet activities after about 20 minutes of rest listening to soft music (not jungle sounds or exciting classical music). We usually schedule 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This is the national health and safety standard:
3.1.4.4: Scheduled Rest Periods and Sleep Arrangements
The facility should provide an opportunity for, but should not require, sleep and rest. The facility should make available a regular rest period for all children and age appropriate sleep/nap environment (See Standard 5.4.5.1). For children who are unable to sleep, the facility should provide time and space for quiet play. A facility that includes preschool-aged and school-aged children should make books, board games, and other forms of quiet play available.
Young children need to develop healthy sleep habits for optimal development. Yet, sleep problems, i.e. short sleep duration, behavioral sleep problems, and sleep-disordered breathing all peak during the preschool years. In 2016, the National Sleep Foundation issued recommended sleep durations for newborns (14–17 hours), infants (12–15 hours), toddlers (11–14 hours), and preschoolers (10–13 hours), which include both daytime and nighttime sleep (2,3).Getting sufficient sleep helps prevent pediatric obesity. In meta-analyses, short sleep duration before 5 years of age is associated with 30% to 90% increased odds of overweight/obesity at later ages (4,5). To prevent early childhood obesity, the Institute of Medicine recommends that child care providers be required to adopt practices that promote age-appropriate sleep duration and that staff be trained to counsel parents about recommended sleep durations (6). Behavioral sleep problems (i.e., difficulty getting to/falling asleep) at 18 months of age are associated with a 60% to 80% increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems at 5 years of age (7). Irregular bedtimes throughout early childhood are associated with reduced reading, math, and spatial ability scores (8). Sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., snoring, apnea) in early childhood is associated with a 60% to 80% increase in social and emotional difficulties at 7 years of age (9).
Below are some articles and studies you may find helpful.
https://publications.aap.org/patiented/article-abstract/doi/10.1542/peo_document200/80112/Sleep-Problems-in-Children?redirectedFrom=fulltext
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/2/e2021054362/188501/Sleep-Duration-and-Kindergarten-Adjustment
https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/6630/AAP-endorses-new-recommendations-on-sleep-times
Naps and Learning in Preschool
Sorry if its too much info. :)
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Althea Penn
Director of Early Education
ACSI Headquarters
Colorado Springs CO
(678) 557-8684
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2023 11:09:32 AM
From: Cynthia Richardson
Subject: nap time
How long is your nap time for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4? What do you do with children who don't take naps?
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Cynthia Richardson
Director of Early Childhood
St Joseph Christian School
Saint Joseph MO
816-279-1555
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