Sleepy Without the Stress: Expert Tips On Mastering Screen-Free Bedtime Transitions (Win!)

On the heels of Sleep Awareness Week and the annual “spring forward” of Daylight Savings, many parents are familiar with the challenges involved in navigating disrupted sleep schedules. To help, Chrissy Lawler, LMFT of The Peaceful Sleeper, is sharing her expert insights on creating calm, cozy, and—most importantly—screen-free bedtime routines. By incorporating tactile storytelling and soothing music through tools like Tonies, parents can transform the evening wind-down from a struggle into a comforting ritual that little ones actually look forward to. Whether it’s the gentle melodies of the Sleepy Friends Tonie ($26.99 CAD) or the reassuring glow of the Penguin Night Light Tonie ($49.99 CAD), these audio-first experiences are designed to help children aged one and up feel safe and settled as they drift off to sleep. —Noa Nichol

The Screen-Free “Magic Trick”: Experts often warn against blue light before bed, but Tonies uses audio and music to help kids unwind instead. What is the most common “bedtime breakthrough” parents report when they swap a tablet for a storytelling Tonie?

The biggest breakthrough is that children are able to stay engaged while actually winding down. Blue light from screens stimulates the brain and signals that it’s still daytime. On top of that, most digital content is designed to increase dopamine with fast-paced visuals, bright colors, and constant stimulation—so it essentially wires kids to ramp up right before bed.

Storytelling works in the opposite way. It gives the brain one simple, focused input—something to listen to and imagine—without overstimulation. Parents often notice that their child is calmer, more regulated, and able to transition into sleep more naturally because their nervous system is no longer being activated right before bedtime.

Winding Down with the Sleepy Friends collection is designed specifically for the 1+ crowd with soothing stories and songs. If you were building the “ultimate” sleep routine, what are the three sensory steps you’d pair with this Tonie to signal to a toddler that it’s officially time to dream?

I always recommend pairing audio with a multi-sensory wind-down routine so the child’s body clearly recognizes that sleep is coming. Three simple steps would be:

1. Visual: A predictable visual schedule (like pictures of bath, pajamas, story, bed) so toddlers can anticipate what’s coming next and feel a sense of control.
2. Smell: A calming scent such as lavender to cue relaxation and signal that it’s time to slow down.
3. Touch: Something soft and comforting, like a favorite blanket or a squishy lovey, to provide a sense of physical security.

When these cues are paired consistently with the same Tonie, they become powerful signals that it’s time to transition to sleep.

The Glow-Up: For the littlest dreamers (ages 1+), the Penguin Night Light Tonie offers a soft, comforting glow. How does having a physical, “familiar character” to hold or look at help a child feel safer in the dark compared to a standard wall plug-in light?

Young children feel safest when something is tangible and within their control. A physical character they can hold or see nearby feels much more accessible and reassuring than a distant wall light.

Wall plug-in lights can sometimes cast shadows, which can actually increase fear or uncertainty. In contrast, a familiar character becomes something the child can connect to. Parents can even build a simple story around it—positioning it as a “helper” or “sleep companion”—which adds a layer of emotional comfort and empowerment.

That combination of proximity, familiarity, and imagination helps children feel more secure as they fall asleep.

Daylight Savings Survival: As we prepare to “lose an hour” of sleep, the transition can be rough on a child’s internal clock. How can parents use the tonies library to slowly shift a bedtime routine earlier in the week leading up to the time change?

The key is gradual adjustment paired with consistency. I recommend moving the entire bedtime routine earlier by about 10–15 minutes each night in the days leading up to the time change.

Tonies can be especially helpful here because they anchor the routine. By playing the same calming story or Tonie at the new, slightly earlier bedtime each night, you’re reinforcing a predictable cue that signals sleep. Even though the clock is shifting, the routine feels familiar to the child.

This consistency helps the child’s internal clock adjust more smoothly, reducing overtiredness and bedtime resistance.

Storytelling vs. Sleep Debt: We often hear about adults in “sleep debt,” but kids feel it too. Beyond just being “fun,” how does consistent, repetitive audio storytelling help a child’s brain enter a meditative state that leads to deeper, more restorative sleep?

Repetition and familiarity are incredibly regulating for a child’s nervous system. When a child listens to the same story repeatedly, it removes unpredictability and creates a sense of safety and control.

Unlike highly stimulating content, calming audio storytelling engages the brain just enough to focus attention without overstimulating it. This allows the child to settle into a more meditative, relaxed state.

Because the story is familiar, children are less likely to fight sleep to “see what happens next.” Instead, their body can follow its natural sleep pressure, helping them let go more easily and transition into deeper, more restorative sleep.

Win! A $236 Tonies Prize Pack!

Congrats Alyssa J. of Pickering, ON, who will receive a $236 Tonies Prize Pack including:

• Sleepy Penguin: Night Light Tonie: The Tonies Sleepy Penguin Night Light glows gently while playing up to 75 minutes of calming melodies, ocean waves, and soothing Antarctic breezes. With dimmable lights, a 30-minute timer, and customizable bedtime stories via the Tonies app, it helps little ones drift peacefully to sleep. MSRP: $49.99 CAD. Age: 1 Year +
• Sleepy Bear: Bedtime Story from the Sleepy Forest: Create calming bedtime rituals with the Tonies Sleepy Friends collection. This Tonie narrates Sleepy Bear’s journey home, visiting animal friends preparing for sleep. Gentle narration, rhymes, and soft music gradually quiet as the sun sets, helping little listeners drift peacefully into dreamland. MSRP: $26.99 CAD Age: 1 Year +
• Toniebox 2: The Toniebox 2 brings stories, songs, and imagination to life for little hands. With soft, kid-friendly controls and a durable, cozy design, it’s perfect for independent play and calming storytime. Tap, press, and create magical moments that grow with your child. MSRP: $159.99 CAD Age: 1 Year +

Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding. Full contest rules/regulations here.