Teaching in Small Steps*

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When a child is accustomed to one set of sleep habits, changing them all at once could be very difficult for her. Below is an example of how a child can be retaught in small stages allowing time for the child's adjustment. If given an opportunity, she learns to find and rely on her own resources to get to sleep rather than depending on her parents for this. While this is being done, parents remain nearby keeping visits short so they are not part of the process of going to sleep. If crying is necessary, it is broken down into a time frame that parents can tolerate and feel comfortable with.

Cries 10 minutes	Cries 15 minutes	Cries 20 minutes
Parent checks	Parent checks	Parent checks
Cries 15 minutes	Cries 20 minutes	Cries 25 minutes
Parent checks	Parent checks	Parent checks
Continue at 15 minute intervals until child falls asleep	Continue at 20 minute intervals until child falls asleep	Continue at 25 minute intervals until child falls asleep

- Richard Ferber, M.D., Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems, 1985
- Joanne Cuthbertson & Susie Schevill, Helping Your Child Sleep Through the night, A guide for parents of children from infancy to age five, 1985
*- Rebecca Huntley, The Sleep Book for Tired Parents, 1991

[Keywords: sleep disorders]

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