Sleep and Young Children

This list provides resources on sleep recommendations for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.
Web Resources
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Caring for the Little Ones – Sleep Issues in Infant and Toddler Programs
Source: Child Care Exchange
This article addresses sleep issues that may be present with infants and toddlers at child care/preschool and at home.
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Child Sleep: Put Preschool Bedtime Problems to Rest
Source: Mayo Clinic
This website provides strategies to put the most common bedtime problems to rest.
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Children and Sleep
Source: Sleep Foundation
This website provides information regarding the importance of sleep for children, tips to help children get a full night’s sleep and sleep problems in children.
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Encouraging Healthy Sleep Habits
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This article, geared towards families, explains why sleep habits are important and lists key sleep strategies to consider implementing at home.
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Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits
(also in Spanish)Source: Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
This resource provides some ways caregivers can help create good sleep habits in babies.
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Getting Your Baby to Sleep
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
This resource provides tips to help babies and toddlers develop good sleep habits.
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Healthy Sleep Habits Resource Guide
(also in Spanish)Source: Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
This is a guide to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse on the topic of healthy sleep habits for children.
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Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?
Source: HealthyChildren.org
Explore these science-based sleep guidelines and tips to help your child is get the sleep he or she needs to grow, learn, and play.
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How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
This article explains the 2022 AAP policy on sleep to parents including: recommendations for a safe sleep environment and other ways to reduce SIDS risk.
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Kids and Sleep
Source: KidsHealth
Learn what happens during sleep, how much sleep children really need, and how you can tell if you child is or isn’t getting enough sleep in this article for parents.
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Why are Naps Important?
Source: KidsHealth
This page contains information on napping for young children. Included is how much sleep children need (by age group), how to tell when children need a nap, how to help a child nap, and what to do if a child won’t nap. Also included is a 2 ½ minute video regarding sleep safety.
About this resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:- Home
- Family Child Care
- Child Care Center
- Preschool Program
Intended audience(s):
- Parents / Family
- Teachers / Service providers
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):