Butterfly Nap and Sleepy Stars app for iPhone and iPad

The Butterfly Nap and Sleepy Stars audios are guided imagery programs for children to help them with their sleep. They can listen to the relaxing imagery and gently fall asleep for a nap or a full night of sleep.

Guided imagery is a technique for using the imagination to help bring about a desired result. Guided imagery is used for various purposes with children and adults: for example with pain management, sleep issues, anxiety reduction and goal setting. This audio guides the child through images designed to help them relax and fall asleep.

The Butterfly Nap is approximately 7 minutes in length. It is a guided imagery designed for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Children up to age 8 may enjoy it also if they are taking naps. The audio guides the child through relaxing suggestions to become calm and quiet for a nap. Images include resting on a cloud with a butterfly.

Sleepy Stars is approximately 10 minutes in length. This guided imagery is designed for children ages 3 to 8 years old. Sleepy Stars describes pleasant imagery to help them fall asleep gently and peacefully. Children imagine that they are sleeping under the stars and the moon.

Shelley Spencer-Hellmich works with children in her marriage and family therapy private practice, helping them with issues of stress by including relaxation, guided imagery and hypnosis. She has found that children can have issues with sleep due to stress. “Children can benefit from having coping tools they can use to reduce their stress naturally. Guided imagery is a tool they generally respond to well, and can utilize on their own.”

If you find that you need further suggestions with your child’s sleep, you may want to contact a medical or mental health professional. You may want to inform them that the child is using these audios as self-help aids to improve sleep.