Key points about the camping out method for managing sleep problems
- if your child is anxious about going to sleep, or they find it hard to stay in their bedroom, the ‘camping out’ method may help
- this involves sitting on a chair or camp bed next to your child and gradually moving further away as they learn to fall asleep by themselves
- if your child tries to play, calmly tell them it is sleep time and that you will stay only if they lie down and try to sleep
- reward your child in the morning for staying in their own bed at the start of the night
- camping out can take 7 to 21 nights to work
This page is about sleep in primary school children.
What is the camping out method?
If your child is anxious about going to sleep, or they find it hard to stay in their bedroom, the ‘camping out’ method may help.
This involves sitting on a chair or camp bed next to your child’s bed and gradually moving further away as your child learns to fall asleep by themselves.
What should I do on the first 1 to 2 nights?
Sit in a chair or camp bed until your child falls asleep.
What should I do on the next 2 nights?
Move your chair or camp bed a metre away from your child's bed and repeat the same process.
How long should I continue camping out?
Being consistent will increase your chances of success with improving your child's sleep patterns.
Continue this process until your child can fall asleep with you and the chair outside the bedroom.
Remember:
- try your strategies for several nights (3 to 7 days)
- being consistent will help improve your child’s sleep
- if possible, make sure everyone caring for your child follows the same plan
Camping out can take 7 to 21 nights to work.
What if my child tries to play?
Remember, this is sleep time, not playtime. If your child tries to play, calmly tell them it is time to sleep and that you will only stay if they lie down and go to sleep.
If they keep trying to play, leave the room for a short time (1 to 2 minutes). When you return, remind them you will only stay if they lie down and go to sleep.
What do I do if my child comes out in the night?
If your child wakes during the night, return to your chair or camp bed and stay until they fall back to sleep.
Should I use rewards?
Reward your child in the morning for being able to stay in their own bed at the start of the night.
See the page on star charts for tips and ideas and you can download a free star chart to use with your child.
Online sleep programme
The Good Nights Programme is a New Zealand developed sleep programme. It was originally developed to support tamariki with autism-takiwātanga. Much of the content is helpful for all parents and whānau who want to support their child to sleep better. You can work through the modules in your own time.
Find out more about sleep and the best way to support your child to improve their sleep.
Module 1: Understanding your child's sleep
Module 2: Sleep scheduling
Module 3: Creating optimum conditions for sleep
Module 4: Teaching children healthy sleep habits
Module 5: Relaxation
Module 6: Promoting sleep-conducive behaviour
Module 7: Creating a sleep support plan
Visit the Good Nights Programme website to see all the modules
Acknowledgements
Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand thank the Centre for Community Child Health at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, for making this content available to parents and families.
© Copyright – Centre for Community Child Health at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 2014. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this content may be reproduced by a process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.
