This bunny has hopped his way to the top of the Amazon chart.
This is a testament to how desperate parents are to find something, anything, to get their child to sleep.
“In the book, Ehrlin, a Swedish psychologist, tells the story of a rabbit named Roger who wants to go to sleep but can’t. It’s not the most compelling story, which seems to be the point; and it’s not just the story that is designed to put a child to sleep — it’s also the way the a parent reads the book. It includes instructions about when to emphasize certain words or when to slow down. It even suggests that parents yawn here and there while reading it.”
The NPR story goes on to try the book on a real toddler. No sooner than the mother starts to read the book the child starts begging for his truck book.
Who could blame him. There is a stranger in the corner of his room holding a boom. From the toddler’s perspective that could be a bit freaky and the need for the good ole reliable and familiar truck book would be more soothing at this point.
It was unclear to me how the story unfolds and how long the parent is supposed to read in a monotone hypnotizing voice but, if the parent is reading the book until the child is completely asleep, this just creates another sleep crutch for the child that we will have to eliminate later.
In my sleep plan for toddlers, story is a part of the solution. However, rather than using a story book as a trick to lull them to sleep, I use story and play as an active part of the process. By involving toddlers in their own solution, in a very specific way, we give them a way to process change and know exactly what to expect.
- Preparation of parent and child is key.
- I prepare parents.
- Parents prepare the child in a very specific way.
- Prepared parents are more calm and relaxed.
- The more calm and relaxed parent is, the more calming this is for the child.
- When children are prepared and know what to expect, this creates a more lasting result with less tears.
If you would like to know more about lasting solutions click below.
