Your Child Will Learn
A relaxation technique to prepare for sleep
Here’s What to Do
- Ask your child to make their toes still, and say “Goodnight toes!”
- Continue naming body parts in order: toes, feet, legs and all the way up to the head. Each time, ask your child to make that part still and then say goodnight. You can practice this relaxation technique along with your child too!
- Repeat each night before bed.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Lie down together on a bed. Breathe in and out slowly.
ENGAGE
- “Let’s play a game to help calm down as we prepare for bed. Let’s start with our toes and make our toes very, very still. Goodnight toes!”
- “What body part should we say goodnight to next?”
ENCOURAGE
- If your child has trouble staying still, start with just 2 or 3 body parts each night. Add more as your child has more practice.
- “I know it can be hard to be still. It’s a really important skill to practice!”
REFLECT
- “Which body part has the hardest time being still and falling asleep? Which body part is easiest to relax?”
Not Quite Ready
Try relaxing just one body part and building up to more.
Ready for More
Let your child be the leader and help you to relax- have them call out the body parts that need to be still.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will be able to use this exercise to feel ready for sleep
Time to Complete
5 minutes
Materials Needed
None