Transitioning our Toddler from Nap Time to Rest Time

I’m going to share below how we’re transitioning our daughter from nap time to rest time (sometimes called quiet time). I’m definitely no expert, just trying different things out to see what works best for Mackenzie as we make this big change in her schedule. She’s just over 2.5 years old and I truly think she’s a little young to drop her nap, but nap time was becoming a stressful time for all involved. She would just lay in her crib shouting for me. I’m currently 30 weeks pregnant & I just couldn’t handle nap time the way it was going any longer.

While I think she’s a little young to understand what exactly rest time is, I’m doing my best to explain it to her. First thing, I make sure to use the words “rest time” & not “nap time” when we are going to her room. I tell her she’s going to spend some time in her room reading & playing with her toys until her light turns green & then mommy will come back & rest time will be over. We have a hatch sound machine that also has a light so we can change it to any color we want. We’ve been using green in the mornings to let her know when mommy & daddy will be in to get her, so to be consistent I’m also using it for signaling the end of rest time.

How we set up her room for rest time:

We removed the recliner out of her room & replaced it with this tent. It’s fun, new & she absolutely loves it! I bought some new pillows & made sure to make it a place that is comfy & inviting.

We placed the hatch on her bookshelf so it’s somewhere she can see the light change.

We’re also using her nanit camera on the flex stand so I have a good view of her bedroom.

I’ve made lots of changes over the last couple of weeks in terms of what is in her room for rest time. I’ve brought some puzzles in or let her bring her Dr. kit in, but then she would ask for help & I’d have to tell her over the monitor that I would be in when the light turned green. Sometimes she would accept that & move onto something else, & other times she would keep asking for help. So for now I’m trying to be really diligent about what is in her room during this time.

What expectations we’re setting for rest time:

I’m starting out in small increments of time and building up to her staying her in room for longer periods of time. I started with 25 minutes & every few days I add on 5 minutes & we’re currently at 40 minutes. I’d love to work up to an hour!

Her Tonies box has been the biggest hit & has really kept her engaged for the longest stretch of time.

She has access to tons of books in her room as well as a few toys that I know she can do all on her own.

Other things I’m doing:

I started giving her milk when she goes into her room to begin rest time & it seems to settle her.

I’ve been staying in my room, which is across the hall from her, just incase she needs something that I really need to help her with. Also, I want to make sure she’s completely safe since we are on the second floor of our house. I keep the gate closed at the top of the stairs, but I feel better being close by since her spending time in her room by herself is new.

One last thing to note, we are much more flexible with “rest time” & if it’s the weekend or rest time just doesn’t fit into our day than that’s okay!

If you’ve made this transition from nap time to rest/quiet time please share all your tips with me!