How you bring up your child is a very personal choice. However, developing routines is recoginsed as an important factor in your little one's development. From napping and feeding to bath-time and sleeping, establishing a routine pattern of behaviour helps your toddler to understand that there are some certainities in this ever changing world, giving him a sense of structure and security. It also helps you order your day and makes key daily events, such as feeding and bathing, run more smoothly.

The process of getting your little one to feel sleepy and ready for bed starts well before bedtime. If he still has two extended sleeps during the day, try reducing it to one, but avoid letting him nap well into the afternoon or he may still be wide awake by bedtime.

Try to establish a pre-bedtime pattern each night so that your toddler gets to know when bedtime is approaching. A simple routine could be supper, followed by a bath with some bathtime play with bath toys. Establish a good routine of brushing his teeth too. Make it a fun game, rather than a battle, and reward him with praise and stickers for cleaning teeth properly each time. He’ll love to copy you too, so let him see you brush your teeth every evening and make it a family activity.