Tell your child when the time is almost up or you approach the end of the story. Resist requests for one more story or another drink of water . Be consistant from night to night. Your child will learn the rules only if you stick to them. During these years, sleep problems of early childhood subside.
Most children fall asleep fast, sleep soundly, and are fully alert throughout their waking hours.
Some children are larks or morning people and others are owls or evening people. These lifelong traits may manifest themselves quite early. The major problem during these years often proves to be bedtime rather than sleep. A child may push back bedtime to watch TV, read or do homework. There is no arbitrary number of hours of sleep that is best for everyone.