At Preschool Readers, we understand that many factors affect a child’s learning process. To stay up-to-date on best practices, we have an Expert Interview series. In this series, we interview experts who provide tips, tricks, and suggestions for parents of preschoolers. We hope you enjoy our interview with Victoria Tenenbaum, Behavior Analyst BCBA, and Director of Victoria Tenenbaum Sleep and Behavior Counseling.

Name & job title: Victoria Tenenbaum, Behavior Analyst BCBA, Director of Victoria Tenenbaum Sleep and Behavior Counseling.

Business name: Victoria Tenenbaum Sleep and Behavior Counseling

What services do you provide, and whom do You serve: I work with parents of children ages 0-12. I focus on behavioral sleep disorders, problems with toilet training, and various daytime behavioral challenges.

How can parents help their child learn to fall asleep independently at night without needing constant intervention or assistance: Working with your child to establish an independent sleep onset association is important. Our brain learns to associate specific actions with various signals, and falling asleep is one of them. Please teach your child to associate falling asleep with lying in bed, staying in a dark and not stimulated environment. Many young children will also have a bed buddy like a stuffed animal or a lovey, which may help promote sleep association.

What strategies can parents use to help their child fall back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night? How can they reduce the frequency of these nighttime awakenings: If our child tends to wake up at night and requires assistance to get back to sleep, there will be a few factors to look into to determine why it happens. Only after diagnosing the cause of the wakening can we help the child to sleep. One of the common reasons for the night awakenings is the way our child goes to sleep at bedtime. A few awake episodes will likely occur if our child relies on external help. If our child engages in disruptive behaviors at bedtime, they will probably wake up and engage in the same behavior at night, too. So, to help us and our children sleep better, parents must address those problems.

What’s a reasonable wake-up time for a 3-5-year-old child, and how can parents establish a consistent morning routine to ensure they wake up at an appropriate hour: At those ages, a night’s sleep lasts around 10-11 hours. Some children will have shorter nights of sleep and some longer. It is essential to observe how the child functions during the day, whether he wakes up happy and energetic, and whether he can stay active until nap time (if he still naps). Sleep also answers our social needs, so families that leave for work early usually have different schedules than families that leave home later. It is always good to start the day after sunrise and not too early and to aim to send our child to sleep so he will be well rested.

Are there any activities a child should avoid doing at night that could disrupt their sleep: This may include things like watching TV, playing video games, or using electronic devices. Children are different, and parents know their children best. While it is always great to keep a calm bedtime routine and reduce exposure to screens before bedtime for some families, that time of the day is the only time the child gets access to those activities or enjoys family time with parents after work hours. Parents will know best if those activities affect sleep and behavior, and adjust the routine accordingly.

If a child exhibits disruptive behaviors during the bedtime routine, such as repeatedly calling for parents, leaving their bedroom after saying good night, playing with toys, or engaging in conflicts with siblings, how can parents address these issues effectively: Each behavior happens for a reason, and only after understanding the underlying cause can we treat it. The first step that parents can do is to set expectations and reinforce appropriate behaviors like staying in bed, being respectful, and following rules. It is always good to pay attention to those behaviors and also address them during the day. A comprehensive behavioral plan and parent training will be effective for parents who want to correct the problem.

Can you provide guidance on creating an optimal sleep environment? Are there factors like lighting, noise, or comfort that parents should consider when setting up their child’s bedroom: Please keep the bedtime environment as less stimulated as possible. Please keep the room dark. If you need to use a night light, please sit on your child’s bed and try to read a book. If you can see the letters, it means that the light is too bright. It is recommended to sleep in a cool environment – about 68F for better sleep. You can use a noise maker, and please avoid playing music or stories.

How does getting a good night’s sleep impact a child’s overall performance and success in school, and what are the specific ways in which sleep can influence their educational outcomes: Sleep is one of the fundamentals our brains and bodies need to function. Research has shown that lack of sleep in children is associated with learning and behavioral problems, hypertension, obesity, and depression.

What books do you recommend parents read to their child to promote bedtime routines: While many books discuss the bedtime topic, eventually, reading time is a pleasant routine that both parent and child should enjoy, so any book that you and your child like will do the work. The bedtime routine is not the book we read but the ritual, consistency, and a few moments to spend together before we see each other tomorrow morning.

And just for fun, what is one word you would use to describe yourself as a preschooler: Nap hater!

How can parents connect or work with you: Please visit my website www.VictoriaTenenbaum.com or email me VT@Victoriatenenbaum.com