Sometimes we forget that our toddler has no idea what time it is. If it's an especially bright morning, she may be ready to rise and shine at 5 am. That's when we go in to explain to her, "It's still sleepy-time. PLEASE go back to sleep." Perhaps what we need is this little guy...
It's pretty much what it appears to be: a monkey clock. But ah, you parents get to set the sleeping and waking time, and the monkey will close his/her eyes accordingly. And the idea is- hopefully so will your child.
We like the idea actually because it gives your child a visual cue and teaches a little bit more about time, and the tester over at Babble says it worked- at least for one week.
Would you try it? Available here.
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Comments (9)
There's also a night light that changes from moon to sun at a pre-set time, so you can tell the child that moon = sleep and sun = OK to get up:
http://www.goodnitelite.com/index.php?page=product
this is lovely. we broke down and got our number-reading 5 yo a digital clock, I love this that one also has a hands clock, and awake/asleep visual.
I never realized that toddlers couldnt read time. My son is 3 and can read time very well on digital and wall clocks. But I love the idea of the clock. He loves monkeys & would probably get a kick out of it.
Sweetpczsu- my "toddler" is fifteen months- so no, she can't read time. Her abc's are coming along though! Thanks for the comment.
You don't need this if you just set a small dim lamp or whatever on a timer; you set the timer then the XYZ goes off and so-and-so knows it's OK to go into parents' room.
Young toddlers can't read time given that "toddler" means a newbie walker, and you know, some kids start walking at 10 or 11 months old. How are they reading the complete time at that age?
For tots who recognize numbers, you can take an old digital clock and cover up the minutes and tell them they can go into yours when the clock says 7. Or on an analog, when the little hand is right on the 7.
The "Good Nite Light" mentioned by LaneC changed our lives; after two years of waking around 5am, three days with the light and our 2.5 year old was sleeping in till nearly 7. I can't recommend it enough!
I don't love the look of this clock, personally. We have 'KID Sleep', which is the same concept, and I find it simpler and sweeter. It has a little bunny sleeping that switches to an awake bunny at the appointed hour. This concept is handy whichever style you get - it didn't work miracles for us, but it did help the process.
Three year olds who can read a clock. I'm amazed.
we have this clock and it has been great for our just turned 3 son. we help the mystique by closing the eyes (the only bummer is that you have to turn the alarm on to close the eyes) while he's in the bath before bed. then he checks that the monkey went to sleep, so it helps getting him to bed too. doesn't do much for the decor in his room (replaced a gorgeous clock i had bought in preparation for even getting pregnant!), but a bit of fun for him.
we use a regular alarm clock and set the radio to come on when she can come out of her room and get us. She knows that if the radio isn't on, she's to stay quietly in her room until it does. She likes it because it's just like Mommy and Daddy's.