We have our bedtime routine - tea, bath/shower, dressed for bed... then we read books for about half an hour (depending on how tired DS seems), then he goes to bed. He might talk/move around for 5-10 minutes, but will then drift off on his own.

I think reading books is a big part of why he goes to bed so well - it's a quiet activity, and he sits on my knee so he gets lots of nice close contact before bed for the night. Also, because it's part of the routine, I've noticed he actually starts getting noticeably sleepier after a few books.

Definitely worth a try .