Sleep Consultant Course of Study

Course name: Solving Toddler and Preschooler Sleep Problems

Course code: IMS739

Course description

This course introduces students to the unique sleep needs of toddlers and preschoolers. It covers how a lack of sleep can affect toddlers and how to create a healthy sleep schedule for them. Students will learn how to tell if a child’s bedtime is too late, how to figure out the best time for naps and bedtime, and how to create a suitable bedtime routine. The course also includes steps for transitioning from two naps to one, handling night waking, teaching a child to sleep in their own bed, and what to do when a child resists bedtime or refuses to nap.

Course objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the basics of sleep for toddlers and preschoolers.
• Describe how lack of sleep can affect a toddler’s mood and behavior.
• Help parents establish a healthy sleep schedule for their children.
• Identify when a toddler’s bedtime is too late and how to set an appropriate bedtime.
• Determine the best time for naps.
• Guide parents on creating a bedtime routine for toddlers and preschoolers.
• Recognize signs that a toddler is ready to move from two naps to one and explain the steps to make this change.
• Offer advice on reducing night waking and helping toddlers stay in their own bed.
• Give practical advice on managing co-sleeping and breastfeeding while maintaining healthy sleep habits.
• Determine how long naps should be and suggest ways to handle nap refusal.
• Understand common reasons behind bedtime resistance and offer solutions to parents.

Course content

Unit 1

• Introduction to Toddler and Preschooler Sleep
• How Lack of Sleep Can Affect Toddlers
• Creating Healthy Sleep-Wake Rhythms for Toddlers
• How Do You Know if the Toddler’s Bedtime Is Too Late?
• How to Determine the Ideal Bedtime?
• How to Find the Best Time for a Child to Take a Nap?
• Is a Sleep Schedule Really Necessary?
• How to Create a Good Bedtime Routine for Toddlers and Preschoolers?
• How Can a Child Smoothly Transition From Two Naps to One?
• Signs the Child Is Ready for the Transition From Two Naps to One
• Step-By-Step Guide for the Transition From Two Naps to One

Unit 2: 

• How to End the Toddler’s Night Waking?
• How to Teach a Child to Sleep in Her Bed?
• Sleeping Through the Night When Breastfeeding and Co-sleeping
• How Long Is the Optimal Length for a Nap?
• What Should Parents Do if Their Child Needs a Nap but Will Not Sleep?
• Bedtime Resistance

Assessment: 

• 5 practice quizzes (not graded)
• 3 practical exercises (not graded)
• 1 final test
• 3 case study exams

Grading System

Pass/Fail based on performance in the final test and the case study exams.

Prerequisites:

Students must have completed the following courses before enrolling in this course:

• IMS511 Science of Sleep
• IMS101 Introduction to Pediatric Sleep Consulting
• IMS421 Safe Infant Sleep
• IMS425 Infant Sleep from Birth to 4 Months
• IMS111 Infant Sleep 5-12 Months

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