3 yr old nap question

Hi - since switching to beds a few weeks ago, there have been almost no naps, and the girls just seem full of energy. There are two preschools with openings (one is T-Th 11:30 - 1:45, the other is T-TH 1-3:30) that I am considering. Of course, all of the morning classes are full. Should I just give up on the naps on T-TH and enroll them, or do you think the naps will come back? If I enroll them, will it also mean no naps on the other days? Any suggestions on which time period (11:30 versus 1 pm) would be better? (each preschool has its pros and cons with respect to location, etc.)

I appreciate your advice!

 

I would go for the earlier time. I have heard of quite a few people who had nap issues for the first month or so of the transition to the beds. My girls just started nursery school and on Tuesday, they came home and napped for three hours. I acually woke them because I didn't want them to sleep too long. I think they will be so active in school, that the nap will come back. FWIW, we switched their beds this past weekend as well.

 

Many children phase out of napping between 3-4 years old. Mine are slowly but surely. However, up until 3.5yrs old they still napped everyday. You may see naps reemerge especially after starting preschool. I find that my boys are most likely to nap on school days. Mentally and physically...they just get a little more "tuckered out" on school days at that age.

Without a doubt, I prefer morning preschool( that's what I chose this year). Even if kids aren't napping in the pm, I think its harder for them to stay "on task" in a classroom environment in the afternoons. At home, they may not nap but they can at least chill out, read books, watch a video,etc. Overall, I think most 3 years olds are just happier, more cooperative earlier in the day. You, of course, know your child's habits and can best make the call.

 

I agree w/ both ladies!

 

Mine did 2 years of PM preschool. They napped until we started preschool, and would catnap when really tired once we started. I would do the 1-3 program, simply because at 11:30, you are giving lunch at 10:45-11 which I would think is way too early.