In today’s world, we are constantly on the move. Whether it’s work, school, or daily errands, it often feels like there’s no time to slow down. The pressure to always be productive, to achieve more, and to stay active can feel overwhelming. As a result, rest—once a natural part of our daily routine—has become an afterthought. But if we look back to the 1950s, we’ll find a time when rest wasn’t just an option; it was an essential part of life—especially for young children.
In kindergarten classrooms across America, children were given permission to pause, to rest, and to simply be still. Naptime was an integral part of their day, offering a much-needed break from the energetic play and learning that filled their mornings. Teachers dimmed the lights, played soft music, and encouraged their students to lie down, relax, and recharge. This seemingly simple practice, however, carried profound benefits that went beyond just physical rest.
As we move through an increasingly fast-paced world, it’s worth reflecting on what we’ve lost by eliminating rest and quiet time from the lives of children—and how we might benefit from bringing it back.
The Golden Era of Naptime: A Routine That Grounded Children
For children in the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s, naptime was an expected part of their day. After activities like songs, coloring, and circle time—followed by snacks of graham crackers and milk—came the moment when the teacher would announce, “It’s time for nap.” The ritual of napping wasn’t just about taking a break. It was a moment of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of childhood life, a pause between playing and learning, a space where young minds could rest and recharge.
The practice was more than just about sleep—it was about allowing children to find stillness in a world that often moved too fast. Teachers recognized the importance of this quiet time and nurtured it with soft voices and gentle movements. The lights would be dimmed, and a soft record would play in the background. The children, some already drowsy from the morning’s activities, would curl up on mats or blankets, letting their minds drift into a peaceful rest. The room would fall into a quiet serenity, where the only sound was the gentle hum of a record and the soft breathing of children.
The benefits of this quiet time were well-understood. It wasn’t just about getting a few minutes of rest—it was about fostering emotional regulation, encouraging imagination, and providing the mental space necessary for children to process their experiences. For those children who didn’t immediately fall asleep, the stillness of the room still had a significant effect. Daydreaming—which often took place during naptime—wasn’t considered wasted time; it was, in fact, an essential part of development. It gave children the opportunity to process what they’d learned, to reflect, and to simply let their minds wander.
And for many children, naptime was the only true calm they would experience in a day. Between the demands of structured play, learning, and socializing, there was little opportunity to just be. But during naptime, the world slowed down, and they were given permission to just be still, without the constant push to do, learn, or play.
The Shift: Naptime Fades Away
As the years went on, however, the importance of rest began to diminish, particularly in the 1970s and 80s. The shift in educational priorities was well underway. Kindergartens and schools started focusing more on early academic skills—reading, writing, and arithmetic. Testing became the focus, and the idea that children needed downtime or a moment of quiet seemed increasingly unnecessary. Parents began to worry that their children might fall behind academically if they weren’t constantly learning or working.
The cultural shift toward busier lives meant that time for rest, relaxation, or reflection began to be viewed as a luxury—something that could be sacrificed for productivity. Naptime, once a vital part of the day, started to disappear from classrooms. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, naptime was almost entirely gone in public schools. Instead, classrooms were filled with structured lessons, computer work, and early academic instruction. The need for rest, it seemed, had been forgotten.
Schools started phasing out the mats, and the soft music was replaced by the hum of overhead projectors, followed by computers and tablets. Parents and teachers alike began to see naptime as unnecessary, a waste of precious time that could be spent on more “important” academic pursuits.
The Consequences: Rising Anxiety and Stress
As naptime faded from the daily routine, something else began to change. Children, particularly those in the early elementary years, began to show signs of stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that when children are not given adequate time to rest, their mental and emotional well-being suffers. The pressure to perform academically, combined with the overwhelming pace of modern life, has led to an increase in anxiety disorders and stress-related issues among children.
We see this trend today, with many children struggling to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social pressures. The absence of time to pause, reflect, and rest has contributed to a rise in mental health challenges, including sleep deprivation, stress, and overwhelm.
What’s most concerning is that we have come to view rest as something unnecessary, something that doesn’t fit into our productivity-driven world. But rest isn’t just a luxury. It’s essential for healthy development—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Naptime, once a staple of early childhood education, offered children the chance to reset, to quiet their minds, and to prepare for the rest of the day.
The Case for Rest: What We Can Learn from Naptime
Looking back at the years when naptime was a cherished part of the kindergarten experience, we can learn a lot about the importance of rest. In an age that encourages us to stay busy, to keep working, and to constantly strive for more, we often forget the value of pausing.
Rest isn’t just about sleep; it’s about balance. It’s about recognizing that we cannot function at our best if we don’t give ourselves time to recover, recharge, and reflect. When we deprive children of this essential part of their day, we are inadvertently depriving them of the space to process their emotions, build resilience, and grow in a healthy, balanced way.
Perhaps more importantly, naptime taught us that stillness is valuable. In a world that constantly emphasizes productivity, being still is often seen as a waste of time. But the truth is, stillness is where creativity blooms, where emotional regulation occurs, and where we find the space to process our thoughts and feelings. By teaching children that rest and quiet time are valuable, we were teaching them that it’s okay to pause, to stop, and to reflect on the world around them.
Bringing Back Naptime: A Lesson for Adults and Children Alike
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the importance of rest, not just for children, but for adults as well. Many of us find ourselves working long hours, struggling to juggle our responsibilities, and sacrificing our own well-being for the sake of productivity. But just like children, we need moments of stillness to reset, recharge, and reconnect with ourselves.
Maybe it’s time to bring back the lessons of naptime—not just in schools but in our own lives. Take a break. Find quiet moments. Give yourself permission to rest. These moments of stillness aren’t signs of weakness or laziness. They’re an essential part of maintaining our well-being and resilience.
A Final Thought: The Importance of Quiet Time in Our Lives
As we look back at the golden days of naptime, we can remember the value it brought to our lives—whether we were children lying on mats in the classroom or adults looking for moments of peace in the chaos of our daily lives. Naptime was never just about sleep. It was about giving ourselves the space to breathe, to be still, and to restore ourselves for the challenges ahead.
So, as we navigate an increasingly busy world, let’s remember the lessons of those early days. Let’s honor the importance of stillness, rest, and quiet time—not just for our children but for ourselves. In doing so, we’ll create a healthier, more balanced future for everyone.
