Sleep: The Critical, Yet Often Overlooked Link to Healthy Child Development

Research finds that during sleep, a child's body develops as it:

• Builds memory and concentration
• Builds the immune system and nervous system
• Repairs damage to the body's cells, and helps in healing
• Regulates hormone production, including human growth hormone (HGH) that children need to grow
• Organizes memories and solidifies learning
• Regulates mood
• Stimulates the brain for areas used in learning and development

Sleep problems

The consequences of too little sleep can add up quickly. And sleep problems are often overlooked by adults as they consider reasons for children's behavior difficulties, poor health, and chronic school absences. Sleep experts recommend that parents and caregivers look at sleep development as they assess overall health and development of a child. A child (or adult) who gets too little sleep may:

• Be less able to self-regulate, and that contributes to impulsive or aggressive behavior.
• Be at risk for obesity and diabetes.
• Have decreased memory and concentration skills, that contribute to risky situations and invite accidents.
• Be irritable and sad mood.
• Have attachment difficulties.
• Develop patterns and behaviors that become habits that are hard to reverse.
• Have poor overall physical and emotional health.

Sleepy children

Many children do not get enough sleep due to challenges within the family, such as long work schedules and extracurricular activities. Another factor that limits sleep time is that many children have poor sleep habits. Poor sleep habits include when children have trouble falling asleep or resists sleep, makes poor dietary choices, have a computer or television in their bedroom, or often wakes during the night.

Sleepy caregivers

Lack of sleep can tremendously impact the quality of care offered to children. Many adults believe they can function just as well as usual on less sleep, but experts agree that lack of sleep leads to poor decision-making and irritability, and therefore an adverse effect on the quality of care. Sleep experts suggest that adults who has trouble sleeping should consult their health care practitioner. A general sleep rule is if someone feels refreshed upon waking, they are getting enough sleep.

Talk sleep with families

Healthy sleep and sleep patterns aid in the healthy overall development of children. Families can get to know their child's sleep patterns by answering the following questions:

• How many hours is the child normally sleeping?
• What is the child's typical bedtime routine?
• What is the child's typical waking routine, including time and mood?
• What is any health or sleep problems?
• Does the child nap? If so, when, and how long?
• What is the child's sleep pattern on weekends?

Parents can research information about sleep, including information about Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, the Back to Sleep movement, and sleep development resources such as those found on these sites:

• American Academy of Pediatrics 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Sleep Foundation 

Sleep is one the most neglected and under-valued aspects of our health and can be one of the most powerful ways to maintain stability during these unprecedented times in our lives and our children's lives. Start now to develop healthy sleep habits. Have a good night, sleep tight!

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 2011. Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs.
• Breus, Michael. N.d. "Good, Sound Sleep for Your Child." WebMD.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• Francoeur, Emmett. March 2008. "Sleep Tight!" Bulletin of the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development 7(1).
• Harvard School of Public Health. "Obesity Prevention Source: Sleep: Waking Up to Sleep's Role in Weight Control." Harvard School of Public Health.
• Krokow, Eve. March 2008. "All About Sleep." Bulletin of the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development 7(1):2-3.
• National Sleep Foundation 
• North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center. October/November 2008. "To Sleep, Perchance to Dream." NC Child Care Health and Safety Bulletin 10(5).
• Oregon State University Family Care Connection. September-October 2008. "Sleep: An Important Part of Healthy Development." The Parent Line 9(5).
• Smith, Melinda, Lawrence Robinson, and Robert Segal. Updated 2012. "How Much Sleep Do You Need?" Helpguide.org.

Adapted from Penn State Extension Better Kid Care Tip Sheet. Sleep: The Critical, Yet Often Overlooked Link to Healthy Development (PDF). Revision by Jacqueline Amor-Zitzelberger.