How to Make an Afternoon Quiet Time Part of Your Day (For an Older Child)

A few of you have messaged, asking how we implemented a successful quiet time so I thought I would share how we made it a succesful part of our routine for our five-year-old.

{Book: Botanicum by Kacie Scott | Animals: Alligator by Schleich}

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First of all, this particular child has a personality that thrives when he has time to himself in the first place. I think some children may fight it or be less inclined, and if that is the case, I cannot speak for if these tips will work for you - but it's worth a try.

Because quiet time is beautiful.

Children are so much happier when there are rhythms in the home. We do not follow a strict clock-minded schedule, but my children know certain things happen around the same time, or same routines, every day, which helps things like quiet time run more smoothly.

There are a few familiar aspects of quiet time that I believe are especially helpful.

Quiet time always happens in a set place: Every day after lunch my two middle children go for naps in their respective rooms. As the two older boys share a room, this means our older cannot have quiet time in his own room. To solve this dilemma, we decided that he would cozy up in my bed.

Quiet time happens at a set time in our daily rhythm: When the younger boys head down for their nap, our oldest starts getting prepared for quiet time. By the time they are settled, he knows it is his turn to go into my room and shut the door.

The first few days I had to tell him it was time, but now he is used to it, and usually starts talking about what he is going to do for quiet time as soon as I start getting the other boys ready for their naps.

Quiet time is happening when nothing else is: Most days I tell him what I am doing that day, whether it be napping, doing some house chores or working on a project, and he knows nothing else exciting is going on.

Quiet time activities are facilitated by the child: During quiet time, it is completely up to my son what he does to keep himself entertained. Some of his options are:

• use the children's cd player to listen to audio books {find suggestions here or here}, or audio shows like CatChat 
• bring books to read or textbooks to flip through {some favourite books here or here}
• play with toys (lego, vehicles, Schleich animals {favourites here or here}, stuffed toys, etc)
• listen to a chapter book or music through our Bluetooth speaker 
• nap (if he feels tired)
• bring puzzles or games to complete on his own
• make a little fort under my bed
• eat a non-messy snack, like an apple, carrot, or bowl of cucumber

I do not facilitate any of these activities. He is in charge of whatever he brings in, and decides on his own what he is inclined to do that day. It doesn't feel like my thing at all. Instead, it is a special thing he gets to arrange for himself, with my help, of course, if he needs it.

Quiet time follows a natural time progression: There is no ticking timer, or period of time hanging over him. His not being under pressure to be in quiet time for any set amount of time seems to make the entire process much more laid back, as he does not feel trapped or forced, as I suspect he would if he knew he had to be in there for an amount of time I was enforcing.

In general, quiet time can last anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours, depending on what he has chosen to do that day. If he comes out before I feel it has been long enough, I might tell him to choose something else to do, and send him back in. If he fights it, I allow him to end quiet time really whenever he wants because I trust he has taken the time he needs.


Curious what else we have done to set up our home for success in this way? Read about how I am teaching my children to be productively bored | building better play habits | when we say yes to screen time | our favourite craft supplies for toddlers


Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I would also love to hear any suggestions for posts you would like me to write about. And if you are interested in following along in our daily adventures, follow us on Instagram where I post daily.




God bless,
Olivia Fischer