Toddlers think concretely and can't understand the abstract command "go to sleep." Instead, give specific instructions like "lay down," "close your eyes," and "close your mouth." They'll actually do it.
Welcome to Please Just Go to Sleep, where I give you one practical way to make nights and naps easier. As always, this will be rooted in research, effective, and emotionally connected. Today's tip is for parents of toddlers: stop saying "go to sleep." Please just go to sleep. I get it, you want them to go to sleep, but our toddlers are concrete little thinkers. That phrase "go to sleep" is abstract. How do you go to sleep? Their brains don't know what to do with that. Instead, tell them what you want them to do: lay down, Close your eyes. Close your mouth. Those are concrete commands that they can do. You might need to say it on repeat, but at least those are words that their brains can comprehend. Try it tonight.
