Try to leave the bedroom at the same time each night as well so that your toddlers know how much time they have with you. Avoid letting the toddlers stray to another activity once the routine has started by calling them back to their task when they start to go off.
Don’t let the toddlers have screens, such as tablets or gaming devices, in their bedroom during the night.
Avoid putting lots of different toys in the tub, as this will just make them want to play longer. If you do want to use toys in the tub, stick to 1 or 2 that don’t create a lot of mess, such as a water-proof book or toy duck.
You can let each toddler pick out 1 story for you to read for a total of 2 books each night. If you’d rather only read 1 book a night, let the toddlers switch off picking out a book each night. Read the book in a soft, calming voice.
Try to complete the routine in order to avoid confusion or distractions. It’s a good idea to create a visual chart that displays the routine in order. This will allow your older toddlers to anticipate the next step in their bedtime routine. Try to engage both kids during the entire routine so that one of them isn’t running away while you tuck the other one in.
Consequences could be taking away a toy or telling them that they will not be allowed to watch their favorite TV show the next day if they do not go to bed. Rewards could be getting to do something fun the next day, like going to the park or getting a treat. You can also use a sticker chart to encourage your tots to stay in bed. This is a great visual reminder, and the stickers can even act as a reward! If one toddler goes to bed easily while the other one doesn’t, reward the one who went to bed and give a consequence to the toddler that didn’t.
If they say they need water or to go to the bathroom, only allow them to do this once each night after they have already been tucked in. Be kind but firm, and try not to always intervene.
Opt for a toddler-sized bed as opposed to a twin bed as a good transitional option.
Closing the blinds will help toddlers sleep if they go to bed while the sun is still up, and it will also encourage them to sleep in later. Use a blue-based light, especially for nightlights. Blue-based lights are better for falling asleep, compared to red-based lights.
If one toddler has trouble sleeping through the other toddler’s noises, place the white noise system close to their bed so they sleep more easily. White noise machines, fans, or soft music helps to create a soothing atmosphere.
Make sure the baby gate is tall enough that the toddlers won’t climb over it.
You can keep a few stuffed animals with them, if desired.
When painting bedroom walls, it’s best to choose a flat, matte finish over a glossy paint finish. [14] X Research source
This works well as a last resort when other methods haven’t been working. If you’re putting your toddlers in two different rooms, it’s important to establish rules such as they shouldn’t go into the other twin’s room and wake them up.
