Screens promise calm but often deliver the opposite.
For overstimulated kids, the light, sound, and pacing of screens keep the brain in an alert state, even when their eyes look sleepy.
A screen-free routine doesn’t need to be complicated. It needs to be consistent and soothing.
A Simple Screen-Free Bedtime Rhythm
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Dim the environment: lamps instead of overhead lights
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Slow the body: warm bath, stretching, deep breaths
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Ground the senses: soft pajamas, familiar smells, quiet voices
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Introduce story: audio or read-aloud that doesn’t demand participation
The goal isn’t entertainment. It’s regulation.
Try this tonight: Play & Oak's calming bedtime stories are designed specifically for imaginative minds — familiar characters, slow pacing, and gentle storytelling that helps busy brains settle. Start with a free story →
