Creating a calm and reassuring bedtime environment for toddlers can make a huge difference in how smoothly they transition to sleep. From my experience, incorporating soft lullabies and repetitive comforting phrases, like those in the OCR text — "do we cry or not cry?" and "ok when we walk to your crib" — helps toddlers feel safe and less fearful of the dark. Toddlers often test boundaries at bedtime, and using a consistent, loving approach reassures them. Singing the same gentle songs all day, as noted in the article, turns the melodies into familiar comfort cues by nighttime. You can personalize your lullabies or choose classic soothing tunes that your child responds to positively. Moreover, addressing their concerns about darkness directly, by asking open-ended yet comforting questions such as "it’s dark? not cry?" invites toddlers to express their feelings. Validating their emotions while promoting calmness fosters trust. Establishing an off-campus bedtime routine that includes these elements—soft music, consistent phrases, and gentle questions—can ease your toddler’s transition to sleep, reduce nighttime crying, and make bedtime a peaceful experience for everyone involved.