Page 48 - parent handbook 2025-26

Nap Time in the Montessori Classroom
Importance of Sleep In a Montessori classroom, naptime is a vital component of the daily routine foster- ing both physical and cognitive development. Sleep is essential for young children, supporting brain develop- ment, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. A well-rested child is better equipped to engage in the self-directed learning, enhancing focus, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It is recommended that toddlers have 11-14 hours of sleep and preschoolers have 10-13 hours of sleep each day. For these young learners, a designated nap time of at least one hour provides a structured opportunity to recharge, ensuring they can approach the afternoon and evening with renewed energy, emotional resillience, and curiosity.
How Naptime Flows During naptime, 3 and 4 year olds are provided with individual mats in a calm, dimly lit area of the environment conducive to rest. This setup respects each childʼs autonomy while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. Children who fall asleep are allowed to nap undisturbed. Five-year-olds and kindergart- ners do not nap but have approximately 20 minutes of downtime to relax while the teachers assist the nappers and prepare for the afternoon work cycle. This may include resting on a mat, reading a book, or drawing.
What Teachers Do During Naptime? During naptime, student/teacher ratios are adjusted, allowing each teacher to take a well-deserved break or attend to administrative tasks like returning messages and phone calls. This ensures educators remain refreshed and available to meet the needs of parents and the classroom. During this time, teachers are giving in-depth lessons to the five-year-olds and Kindergarteners.
Non-Nappers Those children who remain awake after a one hour (per Texas Child Care Licensing) may be gently invited to return to quiet activities, provided they can do so without disturbing their sleeping peers. This balance reflects Montessoriʼs emphasis on independence and respect for others, teaching children to navigate their needs while considering the community.
For children who struggle to stay on their mats for the full hour or whose parents prefer their child not nap, pickup before naptime is recommended. This accommodates individual family preferences while maintaining the classroomʼs calm environment and student/teacher ratios. Exceptions for allowing 3 and 4 year olds to skip nap cannot be accomodated as doing so would change the ratios required by licensing and the other children in that group who need to nap will not if their peers are allowed to stay up. Cutting a childʼs nap short is not recommended as doing so causes them to feel groggy and irritable, sometimes causing meltdowns.
No child wants to nap or go to bed. They have so many things they want to do! Many parents allow their child to drop their naps before they are physically and emotionally ready, hoping they will go to bed earlier. But, this often has the opposite effect making evenings less relaxed and enjoyable for both parent and child.
Support for Home If you struggle with your child at bedtime and need help, we have many ideas on bedtime routines. Most of us have had children of our own and have experienced all you are going through!
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