Parents shouldn't delay, however, if their children seem to be in distress. Parents can make sure there are toys nearby for their children to entertain themselves with in the morning. Parents can put a metal baby mirror to one side of their children's cribs or beds so their children can look at themselves. Parents can place interesting objects such as bright bits of cloth or soft toys at the bottom of their children's cribs or beds after they have gone to sleep. Parents should make sure that the objects are not small enough to be swallowed, and will not cause discomfort if children roll onto them while sleeping.
Parents can change the objects every few days for variety.
Parents can tape record a story and leave the tape recorder and the book within their children's reach. If children are to play quietly, they will need light to see by. If children's rooms are dark in the morning, parents can plug in a low wattage night-light. For example, parents can tell their children that they may not get up until a parent comes to get them in the morning, and until then they must play quietly. Or, parents can set an alarm in their children's rooms, and use that as the signal for getting up.