DS is turning 5 in July but still naps every day at preschool and most weekends and then goes to bed between 7-8 at night with no issue. If he does skip his weekend nap he is a total cranky mess by about 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I had hoped he would grow out of needing naps so much by this spring but that’s not happening. Now I’m concerned about him handling the kindergarten school day and aftercare next school year. I hadn’t planned on redshirting him but am now wondering if anyone has made that decision just due to a high sleep needs child? |
Mine turned 5 in March and we just stopped naps officially this week. My other child turned 5 in August and he stopped naps the summer before kindergarten. This is a very long time to be taking naps if I compare with people around me!
All turned out ok - you still have time. Even if they still need naps, when you start, they will adjust - just try to do an early bedtime. |
A lot can change between now and August. That being said, he will just have to adjust once K starts. There’s no naps and that’ll have to become his new normal. But you have time. |
+1 My kid was exactly the same way as the OP's kid. The first week or two may be rough when school starts, but you'll see he adjusts quickly. Don't worry. Just make sure the new K kid has a lot of downtime after school and an early bedtime to compensate for the lack of a nap. |
Are you certain they don’t lie down in kindergarten? Mine did, and slept until about January of kindergarten. This was a catholic k-8. |
My DD napped the summer before K as well. She adjusted but we didnt do anything after school for the first 3 months and let her nap on weekends if she wanted to. We also had dinner by 6 and early bedtime. |
You could probably find a private that has K naps. |
Mine would fall asleep in the car after aftercare pick up and sleep until morning for most of kindergarten. I’d have to make sure she used the bathroom before we left so she didn’t have overnight accidents. |
Our kindergartners put their heads down after recess and listen to music. I send students to the bathroom at this time. It takes maybe 10-15 minutes. |
This is what we did for both my kids who seemed to need a nap. They adjusted, but we were firm in an earlier bedtime. |
I had a high sleep needs kid and we stopped naps about a month before kindergarten to help her adjust. I wont kid, it was rough. She was a grumpy kid in the evenings for the entire first year of kindergarten and went to bed very early. |
Redshirt him. |
He should be ok with an earlier bedtime and no nap. Surely there are days when you are busy out doing things and he doesn’t get a nap. He survives, right? |
My committed napper crashed on the couch after K for the first few months of school.‘I was super nervous about naps, too. My second child had completely different sleep needs and came home from K ready for the next activity. |
Its a long timd between now and August. Stop the nap now and let him adjust. Prepare to put him to bed before 7pm the first few months. |