Introduction- Why might we need sleep trainer clocks?

Good sleeping habits established in the formative years of a person’s life will be beneficial throughout their life and will help them to be happier and more successful (link to Jo's article).

When young children reach a stage of increased independence they often wake up and get up out of bed at a very early hour (often 5am-7am).  This can be disruptive to other members of the family, particularly siblings and/or parents.

The early starts can also lead to tiredness, irritability and difficulty in concentrating later in the day, both for the child and their parents.

This behaviour often occurs before a child can tell the time (and it would be unrealistic to expect them to understand the concept of telling the time (particularly as the clock-face increases to 12 and then starts again, at a time when children will be counting in tens and units).

Fortunately there are ways to help your child understand the concepts of "too early" and "staying in bed until it is time to get up".

 

The Concept of Sleep Trainers

Although a young child is unlikely to be able to tell the time they will probably have a creative imagination and enjoy looking at picture books and drawing pictures themselves.

It is well-known that "a picture can paint a 1000 words" and it is by using this principle that sleep-trainers can help your child learn the concepts of time and in particular "it’s too early to get up".

Sleep trainers range from simple home-made trainers through to purpose built products available to buy.  The most important aspect of a sleep-trainer is to give the child a visual or auditory answer (which they understand) as to whether they can get up.

This concept is clearly and simply demonstrated in the Sleepytime Bunny Clock, this is perhaps one of the best known and most popular purpose made sleep-trainers.

When it is time to stay in bed the bunny is asleep and his eyes are closed.

 

The Sleepytime Bunny Clock Sleep Trainer

(19.75 See the Sleep Trainer here>)

 You are allowed to get out of bed when bunny is awake and his eyes are open.

Other visual cues which are used in purpose made trainers include:-

Pictures which light up showing different scenes such as a rabbit asleep in bed or awake in the sunshine (kidsleep).

 

Kidsleep Wake Up Indicator Sleep Trainer

See the Kidsleep Trainer Here    34.99

 

Digital displays which show sunshine or glow a different colour when it is time to get up.

One parent who was an electronic hobbyist even made a device which would play different recordings of a self-recorded message when a button was pressed, for example "There's still a long time until you wake up, go back to sleep" or "Not long now, just wait for a few more minutes".

Some DIY/cheaper alternatives:-

Most of the products available in the shops range from 19.99 to 39.95, there is no reason why you couldn't create the same concept somewhat more cheaply at home.

For example you could:-

Use an old alarm clock and stick your own dial on the front in the form of a picture with a scene on it and your little one is only allowed up when the small hand can be seen (see picture).

Use a nightlight with a timer, somewhere which can be seen from your child's bed and set the timer to turn the light out at the time your child can get up.

 

How to introduce the sleep trainer.

There should be an incentive for your toddler to obey the sleep-training aid.

You are in the best position to know what rewards work best for your child.  Examples could be:-

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  • A trip out at the weekend.

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  • Sweets.

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  •  A small toy.

 

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  •  TV/film/DVD choice.

 Use rewards to encourage and reinforce good waking habits.

These rewards can be recorded on a reward star chart, such as the one below (these can also be bought as ready-made products (see below)).

 

The goal should be clearly defined so that you know what behaviour you are trying to achieve and so that your child knows what is expected of them.

Goals are likely to be different for each family/child.

For example you may be trying to achieve one of the following (with slight variations):-

You don't mind too much if your child is up earlier than you but they must stay in their room/play quietly/look at books/not wake their siblings etc.

Alternatively you may want them to stay in their bed and try to get back to sleep.

As your chld grows older then other targets/goals may be set.

It will probably be more effective to plan to introduce the sleep-training over a period of days rather than expect it to start working immediately.  To this end you could make up a reward chart which tracks the progress of the sleep trainer working.

For example a green star for staying in bed or playing quietly until the desired time, an a amber star could be awarded when a few reminders wre required and a red star if no progress was made.

Then award the main reward after a week if there are more green than red, or perhaps as soon as 3 green starts have been earned in successive days.

 

Blackout Blinds Can Stop Children Waking Early

A practical way to stop children waking too early which can be very effective is using black-out material over the windows.  This may be in the form of standard blinds/curtains or may be an extra blackout curtain used specifically for this purpose.  A couple of rings sewn into the material used with small hooks on the window frame work well. 

There are also products avaible to help such as the gro blind blackout blind (29.95).  Click here.

Put the sleep-timer out of reach of your child.

Our own boy, worked out that he could manually open the eyes on bunny and as far as he was concerned "If bunny is awake, then I'm allowed to be awake"!!!  Quite resourceful!

 

Conclusion

• It is possible to get a lie-in, even if you are the parents of young children.

• Good sleeping habits learnt in the formative years can give a life-time of good sleep.

• Define what you and your child should try and achieve.

• Use a visual indicator (home-made or bought) to assist your child.

• Record the success of your child and reward with a chosen treat.

• Reinforce and reiterate for continued lie-ins.

 

 Copyright 2009 Nicholas Windsor

 

 

About the author

Nick Windsor is a father of 2 active boys, co-founder of Baby Sleep Shop (Baby Sleep Shop (Grobags, Baby Sleeping Bags and lots more) and founder of Children's Clock Shop (for itsaclock, groclock and sleep trainers).  He has had articles/editorials publlished in magazines including ATB Sports Mag and Nursery Today.  He has an Honours Degree in Technology.

Not for profit websites are free to use this article as long as all links and acknowledgements are kept.  Please send a courtesy email with the URL using the contact form above.

 

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