A practical, step-by-step guide for parents that explains normal infant and child sleep patterns, offers age-specific strategies to teach children to fall asleep and self-soothe, and uses a graduated-checking approach—increasing intervals between parental interventions—to reduce night wakings and bedtime resistance; it covers establishing consistent routines, managing naps and feedings, identifying medical or behavioral causes of disturbed sleep, and provides troubleshooting advice to help families implement the program while balancing responsiveness and healthy sleep habits.