Parenting 4 Kids Nationally accredited, 4 Kids Early Learning Network serves children and families throughout the Mon Valley. Through this column, 4 Kids staff members answer reader questions about raising children in the critical early years. E-mail questions for consideration to: questions@4kidsearlyed.org, or mail to: 4 Kids Questions, 445 Fourth St., Braddock, PA 15104.

Q: Our 3 1/2-year-old girl has horrible sleep issues. She is on a fairly regimented schedule: dinner, family time, bath, books, and bed around 8. However, she continues to stay awake and comes out of her room several times to "go to the bathroom" or she wants us to come and cover her or get her a drink. We have even come upstairs to find her playing with her books and jumping on her bed. Sometimes these issues extend past 11 p.m.

This is continuing to get worse over time, and the lack of sleep is causing her to be a terror in the morning as well. My wife and I feel like we have tried everything -- consulting our pediatrician, monitoring her sleep schedule at preschool, rewards systems, ignoring her, coddling her, placing her back in bed. We know there is no magic solution, but any advice would be appreciated.

A: The strategies you've mentioned are all excellent, and exactly what we'd recommend. Maybe now we can help with some thoughts about the ways to implement them.

While your evening routine is a big step in the right direction, a successful bedtime may require a firmer and more consistent response.

Often, when parents try something new with a child, the child's behavior will get worse before it gets better. The child is testing the parents' tolerance threshold: When will you "give in"?

We believe that consistently maintaining a strategy through this period is important. Whatever strategy you're using (for example, ignoring), try it for an extended period of time -- at least a week or two -- to show your daughter that you won't change your mind or your response, despite her actions. It's important that you and your wife agree about what strategy to use, so both of you can be firm and consistent while you implement.

Here are a couple of other recommendations. During your post-dinner family time, focus on physical activity so your daughter can release pent-up energy; then the bath and books will ease her toward the calm she needs at bedtime.

And pay close attention to her food and drink intake. Does she have dinners or late-day or evening snacks high in caffeine or sugar? Also, some experts mention preservatives and food dyes as triggers for children sensitive to these additives. You may find that restricting sugar, caffeine, and other potential triggers will help your daughter -- and the rest of the family -- sleep better at night.

After you've tried these ideas for a while, please let us know how you're all doing!