Why Rest Time Matters (Even When Kids Say “No Naps!”)
- Tearri Rivers
- Jan 12
- 2 min read
Have you ever heard a little voice say, “I don’t want to take a nap!” You’re not alone. Many children feel that way, and that’s okay. But rest time is more than just a pause in the day—it’s a powerful opportunity for social-emotional growth and learning.
In our recent Moxie & Me video, Moxie told her friends and teacher,
“I really don’t. Naps stop me from playing, and rules… they feel hard.”
Moxie’s feelings are real and relatable for children everywhere. Rest can feel like it slows down their fun—but it’s also a time for learning emotional regulation, self-awareness, and kindness.
Learning About Feelings Through Rest
In the video, I encouraged Moxie and her friends to show how they feel with their faces—sleepy, grumpy, or calm. This simple activity helps children:
Recognize and label emotions
Practice self-awareness
Understand that everyone has feelings, even when tired
When children learn to identify emotions, they build the foundation for empathy, patience, and cooperation.
Rest Is Part of God’s Design
The video also reminds children that rest is good, even for God:
“God worked hard creating the heavens and earth, and then He rested on the Sabbath. Rest is important—even for God.”
Framing rest as a natural, God-given part of life helps children see it as:
A way to care for themselves
A chance to reset and calm their bodies and minds
A tool for returning to play ready to be kind and cooperative
Moxie learned that resting isn’t punishment. It’s a gift to help her play nicer, think clearly, and care for her friends.
Social-Emotional Lessons in Every Nap
Rest time provides opportunities for children to practice essential life skills:
Self-Regulation – Learning to calm their bodies and minds
Empathy and Kindness – Returning to play ready to be thoughtful with friends
Self-Awareness – Recognizing when they need a break
Obedience and Trust – Following routines in a positive, supportive way
Even small naps or quiet rest moments can help children develop these skills in a gentle, meaningful way.
Moxie’s Takeaway
By the end of the video, Moxie realized:
“If I rest, I can play nicer with my friends.”
And that’s exactly what we want for every child—rested, calm, and ready to grow socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Supporting Rest at Home and School
To help families and teachers reinforce the importance of rest, we’ve created a free handout that shares tips for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. It includes:
Simple ways to encourage rest
How rest supports emotional and social growth
Guidance for creating positive routines
Sharing consistent routines at school and at home helps children see rest as a positive part of their day, not a punishment or chore.
Rest time is more than sleep. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, reset, and grow—helping children become calmer, kinder, and more aware of their feelings and the feelings of others.
Take a cue from Moxie: even if your child or student doesn’t love naps yet, trying is a wonderful start.
You can watch the Video "No Naps" by visiting the Moxie & Me Youtube:FREEplay page, or by popping over to our Youtube Channel - Moxie & Me
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