Bedtime with our 2 year old son has been a journey. I don’t want to call it a struggle, or a battle, because I am trying to be conscious of not turning sleep into a negative experience for myself and my family. However, I will say that our son prefers to stay up late, and it certainly pushes our limits in all different directions.
Last night, something magical happened. It was 8:30 pm and our son was still high energy, looking to play and asked to go outside. Eh, why not little boy, let’s go outside. It was June and the night sky was clear with stars, so I got a blanket and some pillows and told my son we were going to look at the stars. He surprisingly perked up with excitement and said, “twinkle, twinkle little star?”
As we laid down and gazed up into the navy blue sky, his little body was still and his eyes were wide with wonder. He took this cute long inhale as if he was experiencing magic for the first time. His head rolled side to side looking at all the sparkles in the night sky, and for the first time all day was still, quiet, and calm.
His little arms extended upwards with his tiny little pointer finger straight like an arrow, counting all the stars. Did he really just count up to 23 on his own? We observed the biggest star, and the smallest star. We found planes, satellites, aliens & UFOS. We saw colors blue, black, and dark orange. We heard the buzz of plane engines, the barking of neighborhood dogs, and the music of crickets — “bugs that come out at night”. We sang songs about planets. We were living our childhood, together.
Then…he yawned & said, “Goodnight stars”. I carried him into bed, tucked him into bed and he dozed off, for the first time without a bottle, without the push back, in peace. It was magic.
As a parent who values outdoor education, I don’t know how “stargazing” was overlooked. This small but mighty moment that can spark a lifelong love of learning and curiosity, and adding this special childhood experience into our bedtime routine can be an educational adventure.
Here’s why I am now considering making the night sky a part of my family’s bedtime routine:
1. Curiosity and Imagination
Children are naturally curious and born with a sense of wonder, and the night sky offers a vast, uncharted territory for their imaginations to explore. When kids gaze up at the stars, they see magic.
2. Real Life Learning
Stargazing is a perfect opportunity for learning. Even at a young age, children can grasp basic concepts about the moon, stars, and planets.
3. Observation, Patience & Stillness
Waiting for planes to pass or for stars to appear fosters patience and a sense of anticipation. Stargazing is a calm and quiet time, free from distractions and can help your child wind down before bedtime, contributing to better sleep.
4. Connecting with the Universe
Stargazing helps children understand their place in the vast universe and builds a connection to something larger than themselves. This perspective can inspire an early interest in our planet.
5. Quality Time
Stargazing provides an opportunity to bond over sharing a special childhood experience and will strengthen your family’s connection. Make it cozy – bring out blankets and pillows for comfort and closeness.
The next time you are struggling to get your toddler to bed, and the night is clear, grab a blanket, step outside, and look up. The stars are waiting to tell their stories to you and your little ones.
