Key points about the checking method for managing sleep problems
- the checking method involves going into your child’s room at regular times to check on them
- this helps reassure your child that you are there and lets you see they are OK
- try your strategies for several nights
- being consistent will help improve your child’s sleep patterns
This page is about sleep in primary school tamariki (children).
What does the checking method involve?
If your child is anxious about going to sleep, or you think it may be hard for them to stay in their bedroom, the ‘checking method’ may help.
This involves going into your child’s room at set times to check on them. This reassures your child that you are there and lets you see they are OK.
For example:
- after your child is in bed, say ‘good night’ and leave, but let them know you will come back to check on them
- some tamariki do best with frequent checks (for example, every 2 minutes)
- others need less frequent checks (for example, every 5, 10 or 15 minutes)
- keep checking while your child is upset, and gradually increase the time between checks
- keep visits brief (about 1 minute) and calm — say it is time to sleep and avoid playing or talking
Remember: Try your strategies for a number of nights (3 to 7 days). Being consistent will increase your chances of success with improving your child's sleep patterns. If possible, make sure you and others caring for your child do the same thing as well.
Remember, this is sleep time, not play time. If your child tries to play, calmly tell them it is time to sleep and that you will come back to check on them.
Reward your child in the morning for staying 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.
