As school winds down toward summer, and it stays sunny and bright later into the evening, it can be hard to get little ones to sleep on time (or anywhere near). Young children often need help processing the ups and downs of their busy days before they can settle, and most parents are familiar with the ramp-up of emotion that can bubble up right around bedtime, signaling pent-up feelings from the day.
I recently discovered a wonderful book that can help. Good Night Yoga by Mariam Gates is a beautiful, simple book which helps kids soothe themselves with a restful sequence of stretches, yoga poses and breathing.
Gates, the founder of Kid Power Yoga, says, “We have to teach our kids it’s okay to be sad, angry, happy, proud, excited—all of that is part of this human existence. But we need to be able, at the end of each day, with all those swirling experiences and emotions, to understand that we get to reset.” Her sweet bedtime story encourages children to listen, breathe and stretch along with the characters as it unfolds, helping kids process their day in a healthy way, and priming their bodies for rest.
Pair the book with a sweet lullaby, like “When You Sleep,” (listen here!) and sweet dreams!