Something odd that many parents and ECE educators don't know.

@TheHorse (203755)
Walnut Creek, California
June 3, 2023 4:48pm CST
I find it amusing when people speak quietly, live or on the phone, when their baby, toddler, or preschooler is sound asleep at nap time. When the littlies are first falling asleep, we should be quiet, because they are sliding through light sleep, or REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is when we dream. It is also when we are easy to awaken. But once their breathing become deep and regular, they are in deep sleep. The process takes about five minutes. Once we are in deep sleep, a freight train could roll through and your littlies will not wake up. Our first episode of deep sleep lasts about an hour. Most REM sleep occurs later in our night of sleep. At nap time, our littlies are mostly in deep sleep, restoring their bodies. I have long since given up explain up explaining this to younger or stupider ECE teachers, unless they are under my direct supervision. They will believe what Great-Grandma told them over that they were supposed to learn in their ECE classes. Have you ever tried to awaken a toddler during their afternoon nap? Photo is of another of my Day Care buddies. He is about 16-months old.
11 people like this
10 responses
@AmbiePam (84651)
• United States
3 Jun
I learned this from my oldest niece, Amyra, when she was a younger child. Not believing that Amyra could sleep through just about anything, Mindy (my sister) demonstrated one day by grabbing a sleeping Amyra’s legs, pulling her down the bed, grabbing her arms, and getting her to “dance”, and then tickling her under her arms. She proved her point. The only exception I would hold up is that of Hudson (not to be confused with my nephew Hudson), a seven month old baby I looked after when I worked at a daycare at sixteen. He would wake up even if you tiptoed by his crib. He was a trial, and I admit I found him to be an annoying baby; I feel horrible for admitting that. However, when his tiny, but morbidly obese mother fell on him, and broke his leg, I did feel badly about that. Looking at his mom, and then his chubby self, it seemed downright cruel.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jun
Maybe I'd avoid deep sleep if I had an obese mom with a tendency to fall on me.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84651)
• United States
3 Jun
@TheHorse Ya know what? He may have been a wise, baby Yoda.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jun
@AmbiePam I hope he grew up OK.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
3 Jun
My grandbaby awakens easily with slight noises. Perhaps, he was still not in his deep sleep. He is learning how to walk now and I hope he will have more restful sleep during the day and night He wakes up early and wakes up the whole household
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
4 Jun
@TheHorse Yes, he cries and we had to lull him back to sleep again.
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Jun
@Jenaisle With Harper, she puts her head on my shoulder and falls back to sleep if I pick her up when she's distressed.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jun
What does he do when he wakes up? Cry?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (455005)
• Switzerland
4 Jun
Well, my Mom always told me that I always had a very "light sleep". She got mad when people talked loudly when I looked deeply asleep, because I immediately opened my eyes. You are surely right for "most kids", but there are exceptions. The young girl of my neighbors was like me, impossible to awake her brother.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun
There are exceptions to every rule. But I have NEVER woken a napping kid by having casual conversation with another teacher.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (455005)
• Switzerland
5 Jun
@TheHorse - Usually kids sleep like logs, Moms know if a kid wake up at the least noise. It seems that my niece has this problem with her baby boy. Good he got my genetics.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun
@LadyDuck I am a light sleeper. But I don't think familiar sounds would awaken me.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99437)
• Atlanta, Georgia
3 Jun
Not me. Children should have their naps. Moms too, if they have the time.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jun
@RubyHawk I have. Just for fun. (Actually, in the name of science.) I could not.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jun
It is really difficult to awaken a young child in deep sleep.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99437)
• Atlanta, Georgia
3 Jun
@TheHorse I doubt that I ever tried to wake mine from a nap.
1 person likes this
@Yadah04 (3365)
• Philippines
5 Jun
Cute photo of your day care buddy. I wanted sleep now more than ever.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun
May you sleep well
@Kandae11 (53601)
4 Jun
What a cutie, he reminds me of my niece's toddler. I will have to ask her, because l don' t recall if l ever tried to wake my son from a nap. I remember him being a real busybody during his awake hours.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Jun
Heh. That's a sign of a healthy and happy toddler to me.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53601)
4 Jun
@TheHorse Yes he was.
@BarBaraPrz (45226)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Jun
Never tried that. I remember "nap time" in kindergarten, but I don't think anyone actually fell asleep. I certainly didn't.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jun
I probably waited until the teachers weren't looking and either tried to kiss little Sally on the cheek or read where the Wild Things are. Today I'd be in Juvenile Hall for that. Reading Where The Wild Things are, I mean. Who knows what would happen if I had kissed little Sally.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (93514)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Jun
I never try to wake kids up. That's when they are being good and quiet
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Jun
Oh, I would never actually wake a kid up. I know the results of my experiment when I conduct it.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (72520)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Jun
That is a cute kid. No never tried to get a toddler awake. I have had very little contact with kids,
@LindaOHio (153146)
• United States
4 Jun
Cute picture. I sleep very light and awaken easily. I wish I could sleep like kids do. I have very vivid dreams and usually remember them. I also experience all my senses in my dreams. Other than my brother, I haven't had too much experience with toddlers.
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Jun
All of our senses are alive during dream sleep. That's a part of the genius of Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun
We all experience our senses in our dreams. My dreams are interesting when I fall asleep to music.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (153146)
• United States
5 Jun
@TheHorse I've never read the book; but I know it's been wildly popular over the years.