Little Hedgehogs Childcare Coventry

So as our holiday in the forest disconnected from society and technology comes to an end. I am sad to say goodbye to this natural wonder but glad to be returning home soon and seeing all your smiling faces and hearing of your adventures of the past two weeks.

Lots of learning and exploring from new tastes and textures to learning letter formation and pencil control

All the children have had an amazing year. Learning and growing up so much.
Now on holiday well Julie will be cleaning and Chris will be redecorating for a fresh new year start.
Merry Christmas
Blessed yule one and all

An interesting read. Next time a parent says don't let them sleep, they're a nightmare at bedtime. Remember this:-

Research shows that children don’t fight sleep because they don’t need it; they fight sleep because their nervous system is overwhelmed.

They’re not being stubborn.
They’re struggling to shut down a body that feels too activated to rest.

Because here’s the truth:

In early childhood, sleep isn’t just “going to bed.”
It’s surrender.
It’s vulnerability.
It’s letting go of control in a world that still feels big and unpredictable.

And for a little brain still learning emotional regulation, that can be scary.

Their body is learning:
“I’m tired.”
“I need rest.”
“But I don’t know how to slow down yet.”

And resisting sleep often looks like
running wild right before bedtime,
crying when it’s time to put pajamas on,
begging for one more book,
or falling apart when you turn off the light.

🧠 According to research on child sleep regulation and stress hormones (Weinraub et al., 2012), an overtired child produces cortisol and adrenaline, the same chemicals released during emotional overwhelm. So instead of winding down, their body ramps up.

This means:
Their restlessness is real.
Their tears are real.
Their clinginess is real.
Their chaos is real.
They’re not refusing sleep, they’re unable to transition into it.

And here’s the beautiful part:
Every night they try, even through tears, they’re strengthening the neural pathways for self-soothing, emotional tolerance, and trust in your presence.

🧠 Studies on co-regulation and sleep support (Sadeh, 2015; Feldman, 2007) show that children learn to settle not through force, but through nervous system safety like rhythm, repetition, connection, and calm.

When we misinterpret bedtime battles as manipulation or defiance, we respond with frustration instead of support and an already overwhelmed brain gets more overwhelmed.

Why does this matter?

Because your child’s bedtime chaos today
becomes tomorrow’s ability to self-soothe,
to breathe through discomfort,
to rest not only their body, but their heart.

So instead of seeing bedtime resistance as a problem, we can see it as practice; a nightly lesson in learning to let go.

Here’s what nurturing that can look like:

→ Dim lights and slow routines
→ Predictable rhythms (bath, book, cuddle)
→ Calm voice, fewer words, softer pace
→ Holding firm boundaries with gentleness
→ Whispering safety instead of rushing sleep

You’re not just putting a child to bed.
You’re teaching their nervous system how to land.

You’re not raising a child who sleeps perfectly.
You’re raising a child who feels safe enough to rest.

One bedtime battle at a time. 🤍

References:
• Weinraub, M. et al. (2012). Sleep Duration and Disruptions in Early Childhood. Child Development.
• Sadeh, A. (2015). Sleep and Development. Oxford University Press.
• Feldman, R. (2007). Parent–infant synchrony and emotional regulation. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48(3-4).

Found on another site thought it's interesting x

Garden renovation update in just over 2 weeks we have took old fence down posts and all, new fence with posts and gravel board, new duck area and brand new lawn

While the little hedgehogs have been off enjoying their holidays. We have been really busy trying to create an amazing new safe outside are for the children
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