We often talk about bedtime routines for our children and at any age we know that a consistent routine at bedtime sends cues to our brain that sleep is coming. As your child gets older communication may not flow between the two of you as it used to. Suddenly all you receive are one worded responses, if any at all. Between spending their day at school and evening activities there may not be a lot of one-on-one time available to connect. Through #BringBackBedtime, we are encouraging you to make bedtime that time to connect. Give yourself 15 to 30 minutes each night for you to reconnect with your child and find out what is going on in their world.
A consistent bedtime routine will help them wind down and sleep better. Having the same (or similar) routine every night also gives your child a sense of security. Your bedtime routine with your child can consist of similar activities each night and we’ve got some suggestions on how to make conversation one of the ways to wind down and get ready for sleep.
Conversation is an important thing to incorporate into your child’s bedtime routine but that can be tough! Your child may not make it easy and may not want to open up the door for communication. Try to stay away from questions that only require a “yes” or “no” answer. Asking more open ended questions for kids may give you the flow of conversation that you are looking for and help you really connect with your little one.
Here are 20 open ended questions for kids:
- What is something that you can do tomorrow that will make your day better?
- What do you think about when you wake up?
- What is the best thing about being a grown up?
- Today was fun because_________?
- What’s the funniest thing you have ever seen?
- Which 3 words describe me best?
- Which 3 words describe you best?
- If you could change one rule, what would it be?
- What is the nicest thing a friend has ever done for you?
- If you could go on an adventure to anywhere, where would it be?
- Let’s pretend that the world could be any colours that we like – what colour would you make the ocean, the sky, the grass etc and why?
- If you were me for a day, what would you do?
- What age do you wish you were right now? Why?
- What was your favourite part of today? Why?
- What magic power do you wish you had? Why?
- If you could fly anywhere, where would it be?
- What makes your friends nice?
- What is something that you want, but don’t want to ask for?
- If you could be a sound, what would it be?
- If you could choose a new name for yourself, what would it be?
Click Here to Download Your Free 20 Open Ended Questions for Kids PDF and start the conversation tonight.
Click Here to Download Your Free Blank 20 Open Ended Questions for Kids PDF and create your own questions.
Contributed by Good Night Sleep Site Consultant – Jamie Contarini
It’s simple really. A good night’s sleep starts at bedtime.
Good Night Sleep Site is asking you to join our movement and #BringBackBedtime.
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