Why won’t my preschooler go to sleep?

If your preschooler has all of a sudden become a terrible sleeper, you’re certainly not alone. It is very common for 3 and 4 year olds to resist going to sleep. Developmentally, your little one has more of an imagination but can’t always separate real life from their pretend world. For this reason, your child that slept perfectly through the night in complete darkness now requires lights that only an airport can rival in order to see all of the monsters lurking in their room.

Preschoolers also have the desire to be fully independent. Your little one will seek to have more control over how they want their day to go. They also begin to learn the art of negotiating and will use these newly acquired skills when you as the parent are the most vulnerable (such as bedtime)

This is also the age where they may stop to drop their naps (if they haven’t already). If your little one is taking a long nap during the day, they may not be as tired at bedtime.

If your child is resisting bedtime, know that it's completely normal at this age. Understanding why your child is behaving this way can help you find the right approach to handle it. Keep in mind that children aged 3 to 4 generally need 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.

Establishing a consistent and predictable bedtime routine can help address bedtime protests. This routine may include activities like reading a story, taking a warm bath, and creating a calm and comfortable sleep environment. Being patient and understanding can also make bedtime a less challenging experience for you and your little one! If bedtime resistance continues or becomes a significant issue and you want 1-on-1 support, click here.