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6 Tricks to Help Your Toddler or Preschooler Go to Bed (and Stay There!)

by Lindsay Hutton

Has bedtime turned into an all-out battle of wills between you and your child? If getting your little one to sleep has become a nightly struggle, or if sleep is elusive now that he's in a new big-kid bed, has a new sibling, or had another big change, try these tricks from our readers to help him (and you) catch some ZZZZZ's. And don't forget to leave your own tips in our comment section!

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Create a Routine

Have you fallen out of your routine as your child gets older? Even toddlers and preschoolers thrive on consistency. At around the same time every night, take a bath, have a snack, cuddle, read a story — and anything else that helps your child unwind. Establishing this ritual will help your child relax, and will signal to his body that it's time to sleep. Having trouble staying on track? This printable bedtime routine for younger kids can help.

One parent says, "As our daughter gets older, we plan to incorporate more time into the routine for reading. Remember though that you won't want to implement too elaborate a ritual, or you may very well find yourself taking an unreasonable amount of time to prepare your child for bed!"

Next: Comfort is Key

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