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The What, When, and How of Toddler Clocks
lbenjell • December 26, 2022
There are many products on the market that claim they will help solve your child’s sleepless habits. Honestly, many of those products don’t get to the root of the issue and only serve as a temporary fix.
Really, when it comes to solving your child’s sleep struggles, it comes down to finding the right approach for your family and staying consistent with your expectations.
Through the years, I’ve come across many products that claim to help with sleep, and I’m happy to share one today that actually can help while reminding your toddler of your expectations.
It’s an extremely underrated tool that many families might not know about: a toddler clock.
Maybe you have heard about this device, but you don’t understand what the benefits are.
Or maybe you have one, but you’re not using it to its full potential.
In any case, this blog is for you. We’ll be going through the what, when, and how of using a toddler clock so that you can help your little one get the sleep they need.
What are toddler clocks?
Toddler clocks are similar to alarm clocks, but instead of ringing, they simply change colors (or have open/closed eyes) to indicate time. For many young children, telling time is not yet a mastered skill, even with a digital clock. So telling your toddler to stay in bed until 7 a.m. can have very little meaning to them.
Further, because it’s normal for children to wake throughout the night, if they don’t know what time it is, they may fully wake up or go into their parents’ room, thinking it’s time to get up for the day.
However, when a clock changes colors, or a character on the clock has open or closed eyes, your child can understand the concept of waking up or staying in bed.
When I’ve worked with families, I’ve seen toddler clocks fix issues like early morning wakes and also helping children feel more comfortable staying in their bed until it was time to wake up, so this device can be a great tool to introduce to your toddler!
When should I introduce a toddler clock to my child?
There are two great times to introduce a toddler clock to your child’s routine.
- When there is a problem you want to solve.
- Before a problem even arises.
Obviously, if there’s an issue with your child’s sleep habits, like early morning wakes, bringing in a toddler clock can help them understand that the time they’re getting up isn’t time yet.
But these devices can also be used preventatively, even before you transition your child from their crib to their own bed. In fact, introducing it early can help it become part of their bedtime process.
If possible, I’d recommend bringing in a toddler clock before you get to any issues, because it can help prevent situations from arising. Additionally, it can serve as a cue – when it’s time to begin the bedtime routine, you can set the clock to change colors, alerting your child that it’s time to end their playtime and wind down.
How do I use a toddler clock to its fullest potential?
Once you know that introducing a toddler clock to your little one is something that would benefit your family, it’s time to teach your toddler how it works.
And sometimes, this can take time.
Here’s my recommended steps for using a toddler clock to its fullest potential:
- Take time to learn the ins and outs of the clock. Read the manual, watch videos online, or read blog posts that go into detail about the clock. The last thing we’d want is to get your child excited about something that they can’t use right away.
- Give your toddler ownership of the clock. You can wrap the clock or gift it to your child, but this is a time to get excited about this new item. Make it a big deal. Further, there are so many toddler clocks on the market, so if your child is obsessed with a certain character or item (like a traffic light), see if you can find one related to their interests. This will help engage your child and entice them to “buy in.”
- Show your child how their new clock works! This will depend on the clock that you use, but sit down with them and explain each feature. If the clock changes colors, you can explain that when it’s time to sleep, the light will be red, and when it’s time to wake, the light will turn green. Of course, you can show them what each color looks like so that they fully understand. Feel free to get creative with your teachings and make up sayings or songs like, “When the light’s red, it’s time to stay in bed.”
- Give your child time to learn and recall the rules. It won’t be perfect right away, and that’s okay.
A few other tips I’ve learned along the years of using toddler clocks:
- If possible, introduce the clock to your child when they’re still in their crib. That way, when they move to their bed, the clock will serve as a constant for them and prevent them from getting out of bed when it isn’t time.
- If the clock is introduced because of a problem, like early morning wakes, set the clock to turn on at the time your child is waking (i.e. 5 a.m.). This way, when they wake up and see that it’s “time,” they will get excited and feel as though they’re doing something right. After they’ve bought into the clock, you can add 10-15 minutes every few days until the clock is set to the ideal wake time. Waiting 10-15 minutes is much more manageable than waiting 2 hours, so take it slow if needed.
Again, any time you introduce something new to your child regarding expectations, it’s a good idea to head into the process with a patient mindset. It’s going to take time for your child to understand their new clock and for them to uphold the rules you’ve set.
Stay consistent and find ways to celebrate your child when they meet those expectations, and soon, you’ll have a toddler who is excited to use their clock each day.
If your toddler is struggling with sleep and you don’t feel a toddler clock is the right fix, reach out to me. Together, we can make a personalized plan for your family to get sleep back on track!
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Parents may find themselves more prone to mood swings and emotional instability, impacting their ability to nurture a positive environment for their children. Strained Relationships : Sleep deprivation can strain relationships, leading to conflicts and communication breakdowns between partners. This can create additional stressors, further exacerbating mental health challenges. Sleep and Child Mental Health Just as sleep is crucial for parental well-being, it's equally essential for children's mental health and development. Adequate sleep is associated with numerous benefits for children, including: Emotional Regulation : Sufficient sleep plays a vital role in emotional regulation, helping children manage their feelings and behaviors effectively. Children who get enough sleep are often more resilient to stress and less prone to mood disturbances. 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Disclaimer
The information on this website is not intended nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with regards to the health and welfare of your baby, toddler or child.