OT: Nap Mats.. Kindermat or Roll-up? Which one do you prefer?

[ogreenlee]

My one and only kid is starting kindergarten this fall. I need to purchase a nap mat. I see that some come with a kindermat, some are just covers for the kindermat, and some are just roll-up with foam filling.

The one I happen to like comes with the foam filling. I'm afraid that it won't be soft enough, though.

This is the only board I'm on that has lots of mommy and daddies. I could sure use some advice.

 

[ameraumi]

Check with the school first. Ours state no foam mats so I bought a roll up one with the pillow attached. DD loved it!

 

[MrsPete]

The one I happen to like comes with the foam filling. I'm afraid that it won't be soft enough, though.

Didn't we just use bath towels when we were kids? If you don't suggest that a thin one is not "soft enough", I don't think a kindergartener will think of it.

I'd go with the thin one. It'll be easier for the child to carry it home for washing, and it'll hold up better.

 

[ogreenlee]

i can't remember that far back. did we really use beach towels back in the day?




and i wonder why no foam mats at some schools? too bulky/heavy?

 

[chrissyd1]

My 4 yo son used a Kindermat last year for PreK, only 2 days a week.

At the end of the year it came home with lots of duct tape holding it together.

But I bought him the same one for next year

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I think your best source of information would be the families and teachers from the school that your child will be attending. What works well in one school does not necessarily fly in another.

But then, my kids are in high school and never attended all-day kindergarten. So, I'm going to move this over to the Famlies Board. I think that there are more DISers with young kids on that forum who could offer their opinions.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Didn't we just use bath towels when we were kids?

A "bath towel or child's small beach towel" is what is on our list for my son's kindergarten class. (Along with about 100 other things )

For pre-K, they had their own mats they put down, so we just needed something to cover them. I used cheap fleece throws - 1 thin one in the warmer months just to lay on top of, and during the colder times, I sent in another one to use as a cover blanket.

 

[rt2dz]

Our K doesn’t take naps despite being all day. Heck, two of my kids haven’t napped since they were 2yo if left to their own devices. When they did nap, they wouldn’t go to bed until after 11 PM.

For preschool I use the roll-up kind with the attached pillow and blanket. It is easy to toss in the washing machine and has held up really well. Between my three boys it has been used every year for 6 years! Plus, it is one piece and nothing gets lost or confused. It’s not overly thick, but it’s comfortable enough.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We've used the roll up fabric mats w/ the attached pillow from either Disneyshopping.com or JC Penny.

I've gotten both on sale for less than $15.

 

[ogreenlee]

I guess a towel means that they provide the kindermats?


We didn't go for orientation, so I'm not sure if they mentioned a certain kind. Their website lists all the supplies I have to bring.. and that list is quite long. There is no mention of mats at all. I do know that they have to take a nap.

My kid hasn't napped in years, either. I'm wondering how that's gonna work out.

 

[kellig]

Didn't we just use bath towels when we were kids?

I remember the "wonderful" red and blue plastic mats that you STUCK to!

 

[dougsmom98]

When my kids went to kindergarten, the teachers said either mats, a small blanket, or a beach towel would be fine. They only have rest time, not nap time, in our schools and they give that up by Christmas time. They cautioned that whatever they brought had to fit in their cubby.