This Video Series Might Just Make Bedtime Easier

It’s almost that time of year again, the one all parents dread, when bedtime’s been going smoothly and suddenly turns nightmarish. Yup, it’s the end of Daylight Saving Time. Mornings won’t be as dark (make sure those blackout curtains are doing their thing) and what was a 6 a.m. wakeup is now 5 a.m. Shudder. Come Sunday night, you may have some overtired kiddos who are just out of sorts, but there’s one simple way to keep sleep at least partially on track: a solid bedtime routine—and Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories is here to help. 

This online collection of 6-7-minute videos based on the ​​Emmy-nominated PBS KIDS series, Donkey Hodie, from Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures, will help little ones settle down and relax before naptime or bedtime. Inspired by the heartwarming, positive messages about resilience and perseverance for which Donkey Hodie is known and loved, each short form Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories is a roadmap to a better bedtime routine. 

“The learning goals of Donkey Hodie are emotional self-regulation, persistence, problem-solving, resilience, and self-control,” says Mallory Mbalia, Director of Learning and Education at Fred Rogers Productions, “Each Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories short applies these principles to help make the transition to bedtime a little easier.”

In each episode of Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories, the pals model a routine—a calming strategy, song, and beautifully illustrated story—that focuses on winding down and preparing for sleep. Your child will watch Donkey Hodie or one of her pals snuggle into bed, calm down, and read a favorite book, providing a soothing, slow-paced complement to your little one’s bedtime routine happening IRL. 

Sleep is just as important for children’s development as proper nutrition and exercise, according to Joel Nuñez, National Education Director of Pajama Program, which promotes equitable access to healthy sleep. It helps kids grow, build immunity, and regulate emotions while preparing their bodies and brains to learn, solve problems, build resilience, and so much more. Unfortunately, several research studies have shown that millions of children in America don’t get the sleep they need, Nuñez adds. This is especially true for kiddos facing adversity and instability. In its whimsical and engaging way, Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories aims to model solid bedtime habits for young children and their caregivers, and this includes following the 4Cs of healthy sleep. 

Fred Rogers Productions co-developed these downloadable cards with the support of Dr. Candace Alfano and Pajama Program to help parents and caregivers when it comes to bedtime. Download the printable 4Cs of Healthy Sleep bedtime cards here and start planning your routine. 

We asked Nuñez how long it would take to see the results. Similar to other transitions in daily life, he said you’d probably see changes in a few nights to a few weeks. Once the routine is established and followed consistently, children may fall asleep more quickly, sleep for longer, and generally feel more well-rested. All of the 4Cs are important, but consistency is the key to making it all stick—and remember, a successful routine is the one that works best for each family and meets them where they are. Families should feel free to adjust the timing of the routine or its elements to help fit schedules and preferences as much as possible.

Watch the Donkey Hodie Bedtime Stories here. And remember, any progress toward getting your “little” more sleep is a success! Visit www.pbskids.org/donkeyhodie to learn more.

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