Q: This month's question comes from Marsha, who teaches in Cresco, IA:

Hi, I am a kindergarten teacher and would like to know any helpful hints on getting students to stay resting during rest time? My students tend to get up find little items on the floor and bring them to me. My classroom is a little smaller, so it is difficult for them to rest without touching someone else



A: Your excellent responses:

Dana Sturgill from Lynchburg, VA:
When I taught Kindergarten, during nap time I awarded two "Best Rester" awards. I had a little bag of goodies (small toys and candy) and gave an award to those who layed still, quiet and tried to rest. It worked great!

bobbi jo from barnesville, ohio:
After 33 years of teaching kindergarten...around 25 years ago...i gave up rest time....they never seemed tired and it was more problems to keep them still....if they have that much energy...they really don't need the rest.....if you have one or two that need a few minutes, let them have it, but put the others to work...

Amy from Coatesville, PA:
Before students lay down to rest, I have them pick two books to keep at their mat. They can look at them quietly and know they can not get up to get more books. I also give out tickets for good resters. Students can turn them in at the end of the day for a treat. I have 4 computers in my classroom, so I pick quiet resters to go on the computer and play starfall or an Edmark game. It helps them all become good resters.

Angel from Lakeland, Florida:
I walk around sporatically throughout the resting period and quietly put a smiley sticker on the hand of a few of those that are "sleeping" (usually one sticker given pretty quickly to build suspense then a few more later on). I explain ahead of time that they don't really have to go to sleep but they have to at least fool me well enough that I THINK that they are. Anyone who gets up, makes noises or touches others automatically forfeits their sticker for that day's resting time. This keeps them very still AND quiet during resting time. After all, no one wants to be left out!

Caryn from Cumberland, RI:
Our Principle never tells who has what grade to parents before the new year begins, that way parents cannot "request" a certain teacher. Just before the school year begins (about 2 weeks before) a parent note is sent home letting them know who each child has for a teacher. By that time is generally too late to make requests.

Sarah from Marion, Ohio:
Rest time? I didn't know that Kind. still had this. Maybe you should read a book to them as a rest time, instead of expecting 5 year olds to nap with friends around. I know a great story always relaxes me.

Judy from Jenison, Michigan:
If a parent wants to request a specific teacher in our district, he/she must fill out a form which requires that they explain specifically why their child would do better in this teachers class. It must be based on academics but some parents do say the personalities mesh well. They may not do this that negatively impacts any teacher.

Debbie from denver, co:
My most successful rest times were when I was reading to my kindergarteners - Novels work the best! The best read aloud novels include anything by Beverly Cleary, especially the Ramona books, The Enormous Egg by Butterworth, Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Blume, Pee-Wee's Adventure, to name a few

Susan from Pittsford, MI:
Rest time truly can be a challenge. Some of the children really do need this time to rest and wind down. Others probably could do with out it. One thing I always do for rest time is have it at the same time of day, which is immediately after our lunch. When we return to the classroom after lunch, the lights are already shut off. I do have a lot of windows in my room for natural lighting. We take a few minutes for a bathroom break and during this time they can choose drawing paper and crayons to draw with or get a few books to read or look at for rest time. Others just prefer to lay on rest mats on the floor. The rule is though that whatever they decide they want to do at rest time they have to prepare for during bathroom break. Once we officially begin rest time whatever quiet activity they have chosen-book, drawing, or just resting that is all they are allowed to do for that 30 min. period that we have set for rest time. Depending on your group later in the school yr. you may perhaps want to shorten this time.

Renee Hearn from Lebanon, Tennessee:
I have the special person of the week be our monitor. They are allowed to find "the best rester" of the day and hand out a stuffed "Clifford". That person gets to carry Clifford home for a sleepover and return the next day. They are also my eyes and ears and tell me if anyone is not resting.

Peggy Emanuel from Calipatria, California:
I tell my students that this is rest time and that they can pick up and give me things when its over for five minutes, when it is over but not right now. Also I would have a contest to see who can make the least amount of noise and give out stickers, pencils, or some other kind of reward.

Debbie from Nashville, TN:
I taught kindergarten for 16 years. One way that I got my students to rest during rest time was to put a small prize or Skittle next to them on their mat. The longer they stayed quiet the more prizes they received.

Nancy Ricciardi from Fayetteville, GA:
One of the schools my boys attended allowed parents to write letters concerning the type teacher the parents thought their child needed for the following year. However, they were not allowed to request a particular teacher by name. I had a special needs child (ADHD, LD, and gifted) and that method worked very well for us through the years he attended that school. The school where I teach allows parents to make specific teacher requests. Most parents don't seem to know about this, so it doesn't present a problem. In both cases the request must be made in the spring before new class rolls are determined.

Shelly LeBlanc from Twin Falls, ID:
The first thing I do is put on some soft, calm and soothing restime music. The volume needs to be low but loud enough for them to hear it. At the beginning of the year we just start with the music. There are some great Cd's of quiet time or rest time music you can purchase. Greg and Steve is a good one. After a couple of month's I allow the children to get a white board and drawing paper or books to look through or read during our rest time. We still have our music going. This gives those children who have a hard time resting and staying in one place something they like to do. They know they may not get up until the music is off. Also they are to be quiet and in their own space. Establish the rules and routine from day one. Restime is one of the children's favorite times in my classroom. :)

Brenda from Oak Creek, WI:
I have begun using a Rest Journal this year because of the difficulty I had with my rest time last year. They can only bring the journal and a pencil to their mats, but it pacifies many of my non-resters and quieted my rest time down considerably. It also encouraged some of my students who were non-writers to write and label the drawings in their rest journals!

Lisa Bell from Circle Pines, MN:
I take my kindergarten class for a bathroom and drink break before our resting time. I also let them read/look at books. Near the end of the year I let them color. If the floor issue continues, have the whole class clean up the floor before laying down to rest. If they still find stuff on the floor, tell them to save it until rest time is over.

K Yurkevicz from Beach Haven , New Jersey:
Have you ried playing soft music, or a story on tape while they are laying down? Tell the class that noone is to get up until the music/story is over. After a while they look forward to story/music time.

Colleen from Bell Buckle, TN:
I'm a pre-k teacher and i know what you mean. I am in a small classroom. Have you tried to bribe them. I tell them that if they rest the sticker fairy will come. Children love stickers, and that usually can work. I also play lullaby music and seperate my non sleepers from each other. Usually i have one that will sleep through anything, so i put them by that person. I hope that this works.

Elizabeth Martinez from Staten Island, NY:
This past school year I taught Kindergarten, and I used a digital timer to signal the end of rest time. They knew their rest time was 10 minutes after the lunch period. It helped them to unwind and relax their minds and bodies from the craziness of the cafeteria and the school yard. I played soft Jazz or classical music and I told them that rest time was important because it helped them to become better learners in the afternoon. Those who followed the rules for rest time: remain quiet and their head on the table, would get their first choice during center time. This always encouraged the others to comply the next day.

Sharon from Lakeland, FL:
When I taught K I used a heart on the board. I put the initials of those who stayed on their mats through rest time. They loved finding their initials when they got up. In our county in Florida, rest time is no longer allowed. We have full time K, but curriculum is pushed down, so K isn't what it used to be. So enjoy rest time while you still have it! It si certainly developmentally appropriate. :) Sharon

Carol from Palmetto, FL:
Because we no longer have carpet on the floor and certain children inappropriatly touch one another - we "rest/nap" heads down on the table top in this pattern: child-empty desk, child-empty desk, etc. We also listen to either a CD or a record of soft music...one teacher uses Carribean music. One to one testing can occur without interruptions.

Tricia from Covington, KY:
I am a kindergarten teacher as well,and this has been an issue for me in the past. What I try to do is set a routine for the students to follow during the rest time. I usually put in a video that has something to do with the curriculum or something on PBS. I allow them to get one book and they are to stay quite in their spot. I try to be consistance with it because the one time you let one person do something different they all want to do it and the craziness begins.

Ann Heller from Winston-Salem, NC:
A tip I got from a veteran Kindergarten teacher which seems to help: offer stickers to those students who can make you think they went to sleep during rest time.

Mary Smith from Hattiesburg, Mississippi:
have soft music playing and tell your students that as long as the music is playing no one can get up unless it is an emergency... if they stay on their mats until it is time to get up, use a reward of a sticker in a chart and when so many stickers are earned there is a reward

Laura Duncan from Spencer, TN:
I set the rest routine from day one in my classroom. The lights are off, lullaby music is playing and my final words are calm and soothing. I make sure that everyone has met all of their personal needs and let them know that there will be a small treat (like a sticker or hand stamp) after rest if I catch them "sleeping". I tell them what I will look for (eyes closed, mouths quiet, bodies still) but that they do not have to sleep, just rest. They think the idea of tricking me into thinking that they are asleep is so funny, and I think that it is equally funny that when they get that still and quiet with their eyes closed they usually do fall asleep! Then I enjoy the lamplight by my table and the soft music and have a cup of hot tea. Ahhhhhhh! Sweet dreams!

Cathy from Buckhannon, WV:
Marsha, I find the key to a successful rest time to be a combination of "tricks". Our rest time is no more than 30 minutes. Parents often comment about their child coming from pre-school programs that required a two hour rest time. Their child really "dreads" rest time. So I start the school year off by explaining to the children that rest time is a time to be by yourself and to get ready for the rest of the day. The children are not expected to fall asleep, but have some quiet time. Then I reward the students that are quiet resters with stickers or behavior "bucks". Also, throughout the week I use a combination of theme-related videos and song/story auditory tapes during that 30 minute period. One day we watch a video, the next we listen to a song/story tape, etc. For most children this works wonderfully. Once in a while I will have a child that still gets up, I will give them a warning. If that doesn't work the child gets a choice of putting their head down at the table or resting on the rest mat. The child usually picks resting on the rest mat. I have always received positive comments from the parents that expressed their concerns about rest time. This quiet time allows my aide and me to assess and work with children.

Sylvia Kennedy from Raleigh, NC:
At my school, teachers don't have to get involved with this problem. The principal sends out a letter that allows the parent to suggest the type of teacher that his/her child would best work with. Our principal doesn't allow parents to request specific teachers, only the type of teacher. The teachers do put classes together for the next year, then the principal makes the necessary changes according to parent request.

Joyce Rios from Channelview, Texas:
When we used to have "nap time" on our campus, I got my students to rest by playing classical music, and by rewarding them with an occasional stamp/sticker on their hand. From the very first day, I stressed the importance of being still and quiet, so that they could be better rested to continue the school day, and so that other students could do the same. Then, as I was getting ready to start the music, I would count to 10, then I would start the timer and the music; that's when ALL talking was supposed to stop! (Of course, one has to deal with the occasional disruption, either from the students themselves or from outside. I was usually successful in getting my students to rest, and some even fell fast asleep in a rather short time!!

C. Hornung from South Easton, MA:
Play books on tape for those who are just 'resting' and then have them quietly draw pictures about the story.

Michele Frederick from Slidell, Louisiana:
I had the same issue in my class until I started putting treats on their backs. I would make them all lie down on their stomachs and then would put a treat in a ziplock bag on their backs. They were told ahead of time if they treat fell off their backs because they were wiggling, bothering another student, or getting up off their mats, they would lose their treats. The only exception to the rule is if the child fell asleep and turned on his/her side, then and only then could they keep their treat.

Susan from Marion, IA:
I have let my students look at books quietly. They have to get 2 and can't get up to change them though. In one place I taught, the students were even given flashlights, with the stipulation they can't shine them in others' faces. Another kdg. teacher I know says you can only get up for the 3 B's--blood, barf, and bathroom!

Deborah Strifler from Manhattan, Kansas:
I say the first one that is still or the one that I see resting the quietest gets a special treat (keep it small - like a sticker or a little cookie). I use this when we return on the bus for field trips also.

Lisa from Milwaukee, WI:
During rest time, walk around and quietly praise those that remain resting. When rest time is over, reward those students who did not get up or bring items to you by giving them a little sticker. By ignoring the non-desired behavior and praising the desired behavior, the unwanted habits will be gone pronto.

Donna Maher from Stratham, NH:
have the parents describe an environment for their children. They just know what they hear on the ballfields, this allows the principal to create balanced classes.

Kim Tullis from Bluffton, Indiana:
I just found a really good idea, it is called a "read,rest and write" box. The kids may use this box if they are resting quietly and must remain quiet to keep the box. You can change the items in the box everyday to make it special for the kids. I am going to put crayons a coloring sheet or a reader we have been practicing . Hope this helps, I am excited to try this new idea.

Tricia James from Bakersfield, California:
When I taught pre school, I had the same problem. I put on an "ocean sounds" CD and told the kids to close their eyes and imagine their mat was a boat and they were floating in the ocean. They could not get off their boat and their hands and feet had to stay on their boat as well. (We didn't want fish nibbling on our fingers and toes.) They had to keep their eyes closed in order for their imagination to work! You could also try soft music and and tell them they are floating on a cloud....Everyday could be a new adventure.

Jackie Newberry from Haughton, Louisiana:
I found it helpful to place something ont he backs of the children while they are napping such as a piece of candy, sticker, or even a McDonald toy from the treasure chest. The rule is that they have to lay perfectly still and keep the object on their back. If they act up or get up, then they lose that object. It has worked in my classroom for years and makes naptime enjoyable and gives me the opportunity to get things done that need to be done while the students are resting.

Del Klima from Omaha, Nebraska:
We play soft music during rest. I also write parent notes daily as the children rest. I read one or two of these brief notes as the year begins. This acts as incentive as interruptions stop my note writing.

Jenny from Charlotte, NC:
Sometimes when I am babysitting, (our schools do not have rest time), I have the kids play the graveyard game. The rules of this game are to lie down, and try their best not to move, (except breathing, obviously). A lot of times this ends in sleep because they get entirely bored! I hope this helps!

Meredith from Bronx, NY:
For those students who have trouble relaxing during rest time and are up, finding little things on the floor, perhaps they need something in their hands as they are resting. In my room, we have a little square of soft cloth called "Mr. Fuzzy" that fidgety students can keep in their hand when it is time to sit still and be quiet. It focuses the energy into their hands in a silent, peaceful way.

Amy from Wichita, Kansas:
I taught Kindergarten for one year, and I found that using a carpet square instead of a towel is very useful. For those children who didn't have a towel or didn't care to use one, I would give those children a carpet square, actually more a rectangle. They could sit on it, but they could not move off of it. Anything they "found" they needed to keep until rest time was over. If they got up, they had to stay down longer than the rest of those that didn't. They quickly learned that if they wanted to get up and enjoy the activities the rest of the class was doing, they would stay down. (Those that brought a towel, would just lay on it, and the same policy would apply as for finding things.) My room was small with 20 bodies in it, and the children tend to find places that don't bother others. (Under tables, by the door, in play areas, etc.)

Alison Williams from Arlington, VA:
If kindergarten students will not rest, it probably indicates that they are ready to transition out of this nap/rest time! Adjust "rest time" to be "quiet time" during which kids do specific quiet activities. This would be a great time for integrating another literacy activity, such as having students read quietly from personal readers or book boxes. For very young children, I have even had each child read to a very small stuffed animal quietly to focus their attention.

Diana from Lemont, IL:
There are many tricks for slowing busy bees down. Each group is so different so that you must adjust accordingly! Even the time of year, will change rest time needs. Always keep in mind that it takes a good 7-10 minutes for five year olds to transition into rest time. Be patient! As for the treasure hunters, send them back to their mat with their treasures. Remind them that they can clean the floor after quiet time. Some of the stardard suggestions are:1. soft music (string instrumentals are great) 2. small stuffed animals that students must help to "take a nap".(animals can be timed out if not resting or accidently fly across the room) 3. students may take one book to their mat and read under dimmed lights 3. quiet coloring at special tables or mats 4. Pre-nap work-out i.e, jump for 100 sec. Wear them out! 5. Remember that some kids just can't sit still!Accomodate them with a project like cleaning trays, cutting paper, anything that will keep them out of trouble and maintaining self control with you near by. The purpose of rest time is to give the mind and body some downtime. It doen't necessarily mean that there should be absolute silence with sleeping children. Work with your group and enjoy the downtime with them.

Wendy from Hillsdale, Michigan:
I have one rule during rest time - do not get up unless it is an emergency. I have drinks and bathroom break before rest time so they do not get up for that. I play different types of music or books on tape while they rest. BY the end of the year all my kids are singing to James Taylors GReatest Hits! (My favorite so it gets played alot) Towards the end of the year i let them look at books during rest time!!! I hope this helps.

Sandy Sharron from Norwich, CT:
A letter goes home telling parents that if they have a reason they prefer their child have a certain teacher, they have to submit the request in writing. This is done at least a month before the class lists for the coming school year are completed. They are also advised that requests will be considered and, if possible, their request will be granted.

Brenda Cadaret from Hilton Head Island, SC:
In this day of the pressures of No Child Left Behind, I can't believe your school still has naptime. My district hasn't had it for almost 20 years. If you have to have a rest time, why not let the children do their version of silent reading on the cots. You could also play a CD with a story for them to listen to while resting or play a group game like some kind of bingo. The children would be quiet during all of these educational activities and no valuable teacher time woulkd be lost.

Lisa from West Bend, WI:
This year I had the children bring in sprial notebooks to use during rest time, which we call quiet time. They each got a ziplock bag with a notebook and a few crayons inside. At the beginning, I laid out each of the bags so all they had to do was come in the room, find the bag with their name on it, and begin coloring. This also helped with the learning of making sure there is enough space between friends during quiet time. Later in the year, the children had to find their own bag and a spot on the floor or table. I had the bags and tubs (for storage) labeled with a shape so they knew which tub to get their bag from. I also used this to call one shape at a time for clean up. Into 4th quarter, some of the children no longer wanted to color every day so they just picked a spot and were quiet that day. It worked very well, that I'm trying it again next year. The thing I did to keep them from blowing air into the bags and using it for a pillow was to cut a very small bit of one corner off the bag. Some children figured this out and asked why there was a hole in their bag! As for the children bringing me things... I tell them once the music starts, noone can get out of their spot or talk to me unless it's an emergency. We do a lot of discussing about what an emergency might be during quiet time! They are told to put anything they may find on the floor in front of or next to them and bring it to me or put it away after they have put their bag away (when quiet time is over). It's tough for them but with the many reminders as I walk around the room, they do pretty good.

Michelle from West Palm Beach, Florida:
I found that if they weren't interested in resting, all I was doing was wasting time. I "did away" with rest time and used that time to be more productive. We started working on projects during that time block that let them be creative and move around-which is what there are best at! :)

Becky J. from seabrook, tx:
I teach pre-K, my children rest for 1 hour, I put on soft music, they may lay with a small sleeping friend. I usually let them take turns and sit at the table with me for one on one help, this works really well. If they are not resting quietly they loose their turn. Good luck.

Dawn from Sweeden, Kentucky:
I play lullaby music during rest time. My rule is that they do not have to go to sleep; but they do have to rest without saying a word. I tell them to think about someone they would like to do that afternoon or when they get home from school. No one is allowed on the floor and only if it is an emergency can they raise their hand for a response from me. I tell them it's my time to rest too. I sit where I can see almost everyone. My room is small too; so there are a few that do touch. The ones that are more likely to talk or wiggle are the ones that I place away from everyone else.

cindy from oak park, ca:
Try playing claming classical music or Kenny Loggins children's music.

Mindy from Kingston, NY:
After the first two weeks of school, I give up actual " rest time" and set up quiet centers for the kids to work at in small groups. They are quiet, and learning at the same time!

Rene Jackson from Pekin, IL.:
Hi Marsha. My Kdg. children come in from lunch recess, brush their teeth, get a drink and get in line to use the bathroom if needed. Once everyone is down on their towels, I play soft music without words ex. Kenny G, Rick Braun. Overhead lights are turned off and I have one lamp on with a green light bulb on one side of the room and on the other side of the room a bulletin board is outlined in white Christmas lights. This is the only light in the room but enough and I tell the children that while the music is playing they need to lay quietly on their towels and to rethink the morning, or to plan what they want to play with during choice time. It takes about two weeks of practicing together but most of my class learns to rest quietly for the ten minutes we are down and some even fall asleep during that time. Good luck!

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Kate from Alexandria, VA:
I use quiet music to play during rest time. All students need to be settled and ready before I start the CD player, and they are usual anxious to get ready to listen. Later in the year, books on tape are a fun surprise for Fridays. To ensure that they stay resting, I have to "rest" myself for the first few weeks. I sit at a table, where most of my students can see me from their rest spots, and do nothing but enjoy the music. The students take their cue form me that this is a time to rest their bodies, arms, legs, hands, heads, and eyes!

Virginia from Huron , California:
Do they all have their own mat or towel to lay on? A rule could be each one had to stay on their mat/towel. WHo ever actual rests and naps get to choose something from treasure box done daily or at end of week using chart w/checkmarks for those who obeyed rewarded on Friday for being good at napping or resting. Lullaby music for resting. Instant rewards for students napping correctly. Before being put down to rest do music that is very active from Greg and Steve, Dr. Jean, etc. to get them alittle tired, read a short story, then put them down...

Lynda Connell from Orange City, Florida :
Hello Marsha, I taught VPK last summer. During rest time we gave each child a "bear counter" to keep on their towel while they rested. If their "Bear" was quiet and they had it at the end of nap time it was exchanged for a sticker or stamp on their hand. It worked really well with those who were more wiggly.. I explained that their bear was going to help them get some rest so we could have more fun and learning for the rest of the day. If a child "lost" their bear or could not remain quiet then they would not recieve the sticker or stamp. That became a very important job. At the end of rest time, they were to return the bear and put their towels away before they were to receive the sticker or stamp..

Vanessa Dotson from Los Angeles, CA:
I play soft lullaby type songs during rest time. "Siesta" and most of the last tracks on the Greg and Steve "We All Live Togther" series of songs are great! Many of my students tend to fall asleep to these soothing sounds!

Barbara Pincar from Staten Island, New York:
Try a night light and soft music. Also this is a great time to read a story to the class. Instead of seeing the illustrations they have to imagine them.

Sr. Diane from Grosse Pointe, MI:
Here is an idea that I have used. I also have a small classroom and I separate my students around the tables and other items in the classroom. We say good-night to our classmates, our classroom pet, teacher and then I begin the instrumental music. It does work for my kindergarten students.

Kathleen Bartal from Lorain, OH:
Give your Kinders a stuffed animal to 'hold' during the rest time. If they stay on their mat/cot, there will be a surprise waiting for them...cookie/wrapped snack. Ask parents for donations and then thank them in your next newsletter.