Barnaby Bear was a little bear cub who loved playtime, but sometimes when the sun went down and it was time for bed, his paws still felt wiggly and his mind felt like it was full of busy bees buzzing around. He would snuggle under his warm quilt in his cozy den, but sleep felt far away.
One evening, his Mama Bear sat by his bed. "My little cub," she said softly, "sometimes our bodies need a little help remembering how to be still and quiet for sleep. It's like giving your wiggles a cozy blanket too."
Mama Bear showed Barnaby a special way to get ready for sleep. "First," she whispered, "feel your soft fur right where you are. Feel how the blanket touches your nose, your ears, your little paws. Just notice it, like saying hello to your cozy spot."
Barnaby wiggled his toes under the blanket. He felt his little bear fingers. He felt his tummy rise and fall just a tiny bit as he breathed. It was like exploring his own cozy cave.
Then, Mama Bear taught him about his breath. "Imagine you are smelling a gentle flower," she said. Barnaby breathed in slowly through his nose. "Now, imagine you are blowing a tiny feather," she said. Barnaby breathed out softly through his mouth. In, like smelling a flower. Out, like blowing a feather. It felt quiet and peaceful.
He did this a few more times, smelling the imaginary flower, blowing the imaginary feather. Each time, his wiggles felt a little less buzzy. His body started to feel heavier and warmer under the quilt. His mind started to feel less like buzzing bees and more like quiet, slow-moving clouds.
Barnaby Bear snuggled down deep. He felt the warmth of his blanket. He felt his peaceful breathing. He felt his body sinking softly into his bed. The den was quiet and dark, and a feeling of calm peace filled the air around him, and inside him.
He wasn't thinking about tomorrow's games or yesterday's adventures. He was just feeling cozy and still. His eyelids felt heavy, heavy, heavy. The gentle feeling of breathing in and out rocked him like a soft cradle.
Soon, Barnaby Bear wasn't awake anymore. He was fast asleep, dreaming quiet dreams in his cozy den. And now, little one, you can feel cozy and still just like Barnaby Bear. Feel your bed, feel your blanket, feel your quiet breath. You are safe and warm, and it is time for peaceful sleep. Goodnight.