Strategies

SLEEP STRATEGIES

A range of strategies that you may find helpful to promote more positive sleep behaviours in children.

Some general sleep tips can be downloaded here:

Sleep tips

Positive Bedtime Routines

*Prepare a cool bedroom to induce restful sleep.

*Predictable– order and timing of events kept the same; insert minor changes if becoming too restrictive.

*Arrange choices on visual picture schedule.

*NO stimulating activities

*Your child’s bed should be for sleeping only.

*Engage in specific bedtime routines conductive to sleep in the last 30 minutes before sleep.

*Low demand– no conflict or confusion

Link to visual schedule

Active to Passive Activity Ideas

For supporting a gradual decline in activity levels before bed

Download strategy

Bedtime Fading and Response Cost

For difficulties falling asleep & earlier bedtimes

Download strategy

Graduated Fading

For children who require your presence to fall asleep, or for co-sleeping

Download strategy

Scheduled Awakenings

For disruptive awakenings

Download strategy

Scheduled Awakenings

For night terrors

Download strategy

Bedtime Pass

To reduce out of bed behaviours at bedtime

Download strategy

Bedtime pass 1

Bedtime Pass 2

SLEEP COUNTDOWN

A strategy to promote relaxation and to get rid of mind chatter before bed.

Download as Pdf

Toys for children with worries

Some children respond well to having something tangible/physical that they can use to support them with their worries. Anecdotally, some parents and professionals say that the following toys have been of some support to some children with worries. These items can be purchased in a range of shops and online.