Why a routine matters for 1 to 3 year olds
Toddlers cannot read a clock, but they learn sequences very quickly. When the same steps happen in the same order each evening, a child starts to expect sleep before the lights go out, and bedtime battles usually shrink. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests starting early with a simple routine such as “brush, book, bed”.
Sleep needs are large at this age. Children aged 1 to 2 need 11 to 14 hours of sleep in every 24 hours, including naps, and children aged 3 to 5 need 10 to 13 hours. Working back from your child’s wake-up time is the easiest way to choose a bedtime you can keep every night.
A 20-minute bedtime routine, step by step
| Step | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wind-down | 5 min | Screens off, toys back in the basket, lights dimmed. A short “goodnight” to the toys helps toddlers let go of play. |
| 2. Wash and teeth | 5 min | Bath or a quick wash, then teeth. Singing the brushing verse from the Good Habits Song keeps it light and makes the two minutes pass. |
| 3. Pyjamas and toilet | 3 min | Same order every night. Let your toddler choose between two pairs of pyjamas so they feel in charge of something. |
| 4. One short story | 4 min | In bed, read one short picture story. Choose calm stories with a sleepy ending (see the list below). |
| 5. One lullaby, lights out | 3 min | Sing the same quiet song every night, then a goodnight phrase you always use, and lights out. |
Times are a guide. What matters is the order and the consistency, not the exact minutes.
Bedtime songs: what makes a good lullaby
A good bedtime song is slow, soft, short and repetitive, with words a toddler can join in with or simply listen to. Singing it yourself is better than playing a video at this point: the American Academy of Pediatrics advises turning off all screens at least one hour before bed. A useful pattern is to watch a song together earlier in the day, so your child knows the words and pictures, and then sing it from memory at bedtime.
- Moni & Moo Bedtime Lullaby: about two minutes long. Each character settles down in turn (Moni yawns, Moo curls in his blanket, Bilo hugs his teddy), which gives toddlers a gentle “everyone is going to sleep” story to follow. The full words are on the page.
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: the classic nursery rhyme, about one minute long and easy for any grown-up to sing without looking at the words.
Tip: if your toddler loves the Moni & Moo theme song, keep it for the daytime. Upbeat, dancing songs are great for mornings and play, but they work against winding down.
Bedtime stories: short, calm and repeatable
Toddlers often ask for the same story again and again. That is normal and useful: a familiar story is predictable and calming. The Moni & Moo picture stories are six pages long, with English and Arabic on every page, so they fit easily into a four-minute slot and suit bilingual families. Good choices for bedtime:
- Moo Counts Sheep: Moo can’t sleep, so Moni teaches him to count sheep. It ends with a snore, and you can count the sheep together.
- The Night Light: the “monster” in Moni’s room turns out to be her coat on a chair. Helpful for toddlers who are unsure about the dark, and a lead-in to making hand shadows.
- Toti’s Lullaby: Toti learns that a soft song works better than a loud one to calm a crying baby. A nice way to introduce your own lullaby.
Browse every story on the Moni & Moo stories page.
Common bedtime problems and simple fixes
- “One more story!” Agree the number before you start (one story, one song) and keep it the same every night. Offer a choice between two stories instead of more stories.
- Too excited to settle. Move active play and upbeat songs earlier, and start the wind-down step a few minutes sooner.
- Scared of the dark. Read The Night Light together, check the room for “monsters” with a torch, and use a small, dim night light if it helps.
- Different carers, different routines. Write the five steps down and share them with grandparents, nannies and anyone else who puts your child to bed, so the routine stays the same.
Bilingual bedtime: Arabic and English
Bedtime is a natural moment for a second language, because the same words come back every night. Many families read the English line of a Moni & Moo story and then the Arabic line, or let one parent read in each language. Short, repeated phrases such as “goodnight” and “تصبح على خير” are learnt quickly when they are part of the routine.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good bedtime routine for a toddler?
A good toddler bedtime routine is the same few calm steps, in the same order, at about the same time every night: for example a bath or wash, brushing teeth, pyjamas, one short story, one quiet song, then lights out. Twenty to thirty minutes is enough for most families.
How much sleep does a toddler need?
Children aged 1 to 2 need 11 to 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps, and children aged 3 to 5 need 10 to 13 hours, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine consensus recommendations, which the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses.
Should my toddler watch a video before bed?
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises turning off all screens at least one hour before bedtime. Watch a song video earlier in the day, then sing it yourself, or play it as audio only, as part of the bedtime routine.
Why do lullabies help toddlers fall asleep?
A lullaby works as a clear, repeated signal that the day is ending. Its slow tempo, soft voice and familiar words help a toddler wind down, and singing the same song every night makes it part of the routine that tells the child it is time to sleep.
What should I do if my toddler asks for 'one more story'?
Agree the number of stories before you start, for example one story and one song, and keep to it calmly every night. Offering a choice between two short stories gives your toddler some control without stretching the routine.
Are the Moni & Moo bedtime songs and stories free?
Yes. The Moni & Moo bedtime lullaby, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the bedtime picture stories are free to use on monimoo.com, with no adverts and no sign-up.
Sources
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 12(6), 2016 (endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics).
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?
This page is general information for parents, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s sleep, speak to your child’s doctor.