Almost every parent has probably experienced a situation where a child shows a surprising amount of energy precisely when it’s time for bed. At TEQUESTA, we often discuss what influences children’s reluctance to fall asleep and how we can work together to develop healthy rest habits. Below are some of the most common reasons why children resist bedtime, along with suggestions on how to address them.
- Too Many Stimuli During the Day
In today’s world, children have access to numerous stimulating activities: colorful toys, educational programs, and various extracurricular classes. An intense day filled with new impressions fosters excitement, which often translates into difficulties calming down before bedtime. If a child has “too much going on” all the time, their body needs more time to settle down.
How to help?
- Plan a calm wind-down routine: before bedtime, consider turning off the TV, tablet, or other electronic devices.
- Instead, suggest quiet play, reading a book, or listening to gentle lullabies.
- Create “rituals” that help the child anticipate that bedtime is approaching (for example, tidying up toys together, followed by a short chat about the day).
- Irregular Daily Schedule
It often happens that the lack of a consistent daily plan leads to problems falling asleep. Children feel more secure when they know what to expect, and a regular schedule of meals and naps helps regulate their internal clock. A little one who doesn’t know whether they’ll sleep in a moment or in two hours might become irritable and unwilling to cooperate.
How to help?
- Introduce (as much as possible) fixed times for meals, play, and rest.
- Try to keep bedtime around the same hour each day.
- In our preschool, we encourage observing signs of fatigue in a child (rubbing eyes, yawning, losing interest in play) and reacting before the child becomes “overstimulated.”
- Need for Closeness and Attention
For many children, evening is when they finally get a chance to spend time with parents who have been busy with work or other tasks all day. A little one may fear that by falling asleep, they’ll miss a precious opportunity to be together. As a result, they postpone going to bed, asking for “just one more story” or “one more hug.”
How to help?
- Suggest calm, shared evening rituals: reading a bedtime story, talking about the day’s events, or simply cuddling.
- Make sure the child feels that this evening time is about building closeness, not just an obligation.
- At TEQUESTA, we teach children that sleep is not the “end of fun” but a natural way to recharge and get ready for a new, exciting day.
- Fears and Worries
Some children have trouble falling asleep due to fears often tied to their imaginations or stressful situations they’ve experienced. They might be scared of the dark, monsters, or sudden noises. Expressing these fears can be difficult for them, so crying or refusing to sleep might be the only signal that something is bothering them.
How to help?
- Let your child talk about their worries. Sometimes a conversation and looking for “safe solutions” together (like a night light or a favorite stuffed animal) is all it takes.
- Be understanding: fear of the dark is normal at many stages of a child’s development.
- In our facilities, we encourage children to recognize that their emotions matter—we urge them to talk about how they feel, including any nighttime anxieties.
- Insufficient Physical Activity
Although it may seem that a child is always running around and jumping, they might actually be lacking purposeful, directed physical activity. Movement is a natural way to “use up” energy and relieve tension. If a little one hasn’t had a chance to get properly tired during the day, they may still feel like playing in the evening and won’t be ready to rest.
How to help?
- Suggest a daily walk, outdoor play, or simple exercise routines.
- Limit screen time in favor of spontaneous, free-flowing activities.
- At TEQUESTA, we utilize sports and rhythmics classes so children can channel their extra energy in a healthy way.
- Inappropriate Sleeping Conditions
A child might also resist going to sleep if the room is too bright, too noisy, or if the temperature isn’t right. Sometimes an uncomfortable bed or pajamas that restrict movement can also make it hard to wind down.
How to help?
- Ensure a cozy, calm sleeping environment: dim the lights, turn off any loud music or the TV.
- Check that your child isn’t too hot or too cold—an ideal temperature for sleep is around 18–20°C (64–68°F).
- Make sure the bedding and sleepwear are comfortable and pleasant to the touch.
In fact, the key to success is understanding a child’s needs and being consistent. Every child is different—one may need more closeness and a longer bedtime routine, while another falls asleep more easily after plenty of physical activity. It’s crucial to introduce changes gradually and give your child time to adjust to new habits.
At TEQUESTA, we teach children that sleep isn’t a “hindrance” to play but part of a natural daily cycle. We believe that a friendly atmosphere and attention to every Little One’s individual needs help nurture a positive attitude toward sleep. When a child learns that evening time is about warmth, understanding, and peace, they are more likely to choose rest, so they can wake up ready for new challenges and discoveries.
