100 Surprising Benefits of Quiet Time For Kids
My boys were both 18 months when the napping stopped. I was not too thrilled about this because this was MY quiet time, and it was JUST GONE!
The sleep crisis that happened due to a nap was too much to handle, and having the boys drop the nap really helped with bedtime.
Unfortunately for me, nap time was the time I used for myself. To watch tv, nap, prep for dinner, scroll on the phone…anything that was quiet and semi relaxing.
So when the naps were dropped, I needed something for my own sanity, and that’s when we implemented quiet time.
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What exactly is Quiet Time for Kids?
Quiet time is a period during a typical busy day where you and your children start doing independent, quiet activities.
These activities can be done in the children’s bedrooms, or even out in the living room, but they must be nice and quiet.
Some quiet time activities can include reading books (or looking at pictures for younger children) and playing with toys that don’t make a lot of noise like Lego, playhouses, and stuffed animals.
100 Great Benefits of Quiet Time
- Improved sleep quality.
- Reduced stress and anxiety.
- Lower blood pressure.
- Enhanced immune system function.
- Better digestion and reduced gastrointestinal issues.
- Lower risk of obesity due to reduced stress-induced overeating.
- Improved posture from relaxation and stretching.
- Lower risk of headaches and migraines.
- Reduced muscle tension.
- Enhanced fine motor skills through calming activities like drawing or puzzles.
- Enhanced focus and concentration.
- Improved problem-solving skills.
- Increased creativity and imagination.
- Better academic performance.
- Enhanced memory consolidation.
- Improved decision-making abilities.
- Reduced mental fatigue.
- Increased self-awareness.
- Enhanced cognitive development.
- Better emotional regulation.
- Reduced anxiety and stress.
- Improved mood and emotional stability.
- Enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Greater emotional resilience.
- Improved empathy and compassion.
- Better emotional self-expression.
- Enhanced emotional intelligence.
- Reduced irritability and frustration.
- Greater emotional independence.
- Increased ability to handle life’s challenges.
- Improved communication skills.
- Better conflict resolution abilities.
- Increased empathy for others.
- Enhanced social awareness.
- Greater cooperation with peers.
- Reduced aggression and impulsivity.
- Improved listening skills.
- Better understanding of social cues.
- Greater appreciation for diversity.
- Improved overall social interactions.
- Reduced behavioral problems.
- Increased self-control.
- Better time management skills.
- Enhanced organizational skills.
- Improved self-discipline.
- Reduced risk-taking behaviors.
- Increased patience.
- Greater perseverance.
- Improved goal-setting abilities.
- Better impulse control.
- Improved academic performance.
- Enhanced reading comprehension.
- Increased math skills.
- Better problem-solving in academic tasks.
- Greater attention to detail.
- Improved critical thinking abilities.
- Enhanced study habits.
- Better test-taking skills.
- Increased curiosity and a love for learning.
- Improved information retention.
- Greater self-awareness.
- Enhanced connection with nature.
- Increased mindfulness.
- Improved ability to find meaning in life.
- Greater sense of purpose.
- Enhanced appreciation for the world.
- Increased gratitude.
- Better understanding of values.
- Greater inner peace.
- Improved ability to reflect on one’s actions.
- Lowered heart rate.
- Reduced muscle tension and pain.
- Improved respiratory function.
- Better circulation.
- Enhanced flexibility.
- Reduced risk of chronic illnesses.
- Lowered cortisol levels.
- Improved skin health.
- Increased longevity.
- Better overall physical well-being.
- Enhanced moral reasoning.
- Improved decision-making based on ethical principles.
- Greater concern for the welfare of others.
- Increased sense of responsibility.
- Improved understanding of right and wrong.
- Enhanced integrity.
- Better respect for rules and norms.
- Increased empathy for those facing moral dilemmas.
- Greater commitment to ethical behavior.
- Improved ethical leadership qualities.
- Greater appreciation for cultural diversity.
- Improved understanding of history.
- Enhanced knowledge of various cultures.
- Increased interest in art and literature.
- Better grasp of societal evolution.
- Greater respect for cultural heritage.
- Improved ability to connect with people from different backgrounds.
- Enhanced cultural sensitivity.
- Greater awareness of global issues.
- Improved capacity to appreciate the beauty of the world.
Tips for Starting a Daily Quiet Time Habit With Your Kids
- Practice Gentle Returns
- Be Consistent
- Suggest Things To Do
- Don’t Give Them Electronics
- Frame It As Quiet Time for Everyone
- Use A Digital Clock
- Use A Video Monitor
- Make Quiet Time For Older Children Coincide With Nap Time For Younger Children
- Keep The Length Of Quiet Time Reasonable
- Don’t Force It
Practice Gentle Returns
If your child is having a tough time staying isolated in their room during the designated quiet time, practice returning your child to their room gently and encourage them to play on their own.
You’ll only have to do this a handful of times until they get used to the idea of quiet time at home.
Be Consistent
If you are consistent in having daily quiet time, you will have a lot more success. You can practice quiet time during the week and on weekends too!
It’s also a good idea to have a quiet time at the same time every day. For example, if your children get overtired after lunch, then that’s a great time to start a quiet time.
For my children, our quiet time starts around 2 pm as that is when my children seem to really need it.
Suggest Things To Do
If your children need guidance in how to keep themselves busy, offer them some activities that they can do on their own such as reading books, play with Lego’s or have a tea party with stuffed animals.
You don’t have to create an activity for them, but you can offer suggestions on how they could possibly keep themselves busy during this time.
Don’t worry if they get bored; they will figure it out.
Don’t Give Them Electronics
Electronics busy the mind, and that sort of defeats the purpose of quiet time, doesn’t it?
With all the flashing lights on any given device, it can make your child overwhelmed, which leads to more tantrums and meltdowns.
So it’s best to do not screen-related activities during quiet time.
Frame It As Quiet Time for Everyone
Let your child know that this quiet time is not just for them; it’s for everyone! If everyone HAS to do quiet time too, the children are much less likely to refuse it and go against the grain.
I mean, if it’s for everyone, then the child feels included by doing the same thing that everyone in the family is doing too.
Get A Digital Clock
If your little one is visual and needs to know how long they have quiet time, it may be a good idea to grab a digital clock.
Some children are visual, and they need to be able to envision what quiet time looks like in terms of time.
Use A Video Monitor
If you are worried about your child getting up to no good on their own in their bedroom, you can use a video monitor to keep an eye on them.
Make Quiet Time For Older Children Coincide With Nap Time For Younger Children
Sometimes it can be challenging to create quiet time for all the kids in the household.
If you do have older children, it may be ideal to have quiet time at the same time as the younger child’s nap time.
If everyone could get onto the same routine and schedule around the home, family life just becomes easier to manage.
Keep The Length of Quiet Time Reasonable
For kids under 3 years of age, quiet time can still be nap time or it can be quiet time with mommy. It’s going to be difficult to have a 2-year-old who can be on their own for quiet time.
For children who are 3 years old, they should be able to spend 20-30 minutes quietly without an adult in the same room.
Children ages 4-6 can spend 30-40 minutes of quiet time independently.
Children over the age of 7 can spend up to an hour doing quiet time on their own.
Don’t Force It
Last but not least, to have success in implementing quiet time in your home, the best thing to do is not force it.
If your child is simply not ready to do quiet time, you can keep trying to introduce it using the tips mentioned above, but the important thing is not to get upset if things aren’t working out the way you thought it would right off the bat.
Remember that practice makes perfect; there is no need to create a battlefield over this.
Once your routine is all settled in, you really will benefit from the break, and all family members can regroup and take on the rest of the day with a new attitude!
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