7 Signs Your Preschooler Needs a Nap

As a mother of two, I’m not a newbie to this nap thing. I’ve also run an in-home daycare, caring for children from birth to school age. It was always a tricky thing for me when a parent informed me that their three-year-old would no longer be taking naps. Research shows that children aged 3-5 need 11-13 hours of sleep a day. And if they’re not receiving it at night, then they need to make up for it during the day. Nothing crazy, just an hour or two. Of course, as the good paid servant to the parent, I would oblige to the parents’ wishes, even if their child was a crankasaurus rex all afternoon long. But not without reservations. I saw the signs that their child needed a nap, but as not-the-parent, I said, “okay.”
Not sure whether your little one still needs a nap? Here are seven signs to know that your preschooler needs to hit the hay.

1. Your preschooler rubs her eyes. According to sciencefocus.com, an online BBC magazine, tired eyes get dry, so rubbing them will stimulate the lacrimal glands to produce more liquid. The site also states that there’s a link between the muscles that move your eyes and the muscles in your heart. When rubbing the eye muscles, “a reflex slows the heart,” creating a relaxing feeling. So, this is a good sign junior’s getting sleepy.
2. He sucks his thumbs or fingers or cuddles with a lovey. Thumb and finger sucking can start in the womb and creates a feeling of calm or comfort, just like your preschooler’s favorite lovey. When your preschooler gets stressed, as one can feel when those tired feelings come on, the need for comfort arises, too. So when you see these signs, it’s time to hit the sack.
3. He runs abound like he’s on a sugar high. Many children will increase their activity when tired, as if to avoid the fact they’re tired. “If I can just push through this, I can trick my body (and Mom and Dad) into thinking I don’t need a nap.” According to whattoexpect.com, this is actually a sign of exhaustion, rather than an actual increase of energy.
4. She gets cuddly (or pushes you away). My little 3-year-old lovey cuddles in when she gets sleepy. Her older sister, however, used to push us away, knowing that if she got trapped in these arms, her sleep would be a moment away. Either one of these behavior could be a sign that it’s naptime for your kiddo.
5. Your preschooler gets cranky. I don’t know about you, but when I get tired, I get cranky. And so does my preschooler. When the fits increase, it’s time for a nap.
6. Your little one gets pink or purple bags under her eyes or her eyes get puffy. You’ve probably noticed circles under your eyes when you’re overly tired. Well, the same is true for your little one. According to the New York Times, the hollow areas beneath your eyes become dull and dehydrated when you’re tired, so your darker blood vessels and tissue become more visible. Also puffy eyes appear when fluid builds up around the eyes when there’s a lack of sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. As such, when you see those little peepers looking puffy or pink, it’s time to get some shut eye.
7. Your child tells you he’s not tired (or if you’re lucky, ask for a nap). It’s a sure-fire sign that our 3-year-old needs a nap when she’s sucking her thumb, twisting her hair and says, “I’m not tired,” as she lays her head on her daddy’s chest. Yeah, right! Time to get this one to bed.

Whether or not you’re convinced that naps are a necessity for your preschooler at all times, it’s wise to watch for signs of sleepiness on days when you know your child hasn’t been sleeping enough. As you may have noticed in your child, and can tell from your own life, not getting enough sleep can affect mood, behavior, eating habits, and the ability to focus during the day. And let’s face it, nobody wants to deal with a cranky preschooler!

Written By: Lisa Liebling