Lack of Sleep Hinders Learning in Children

Everybody needs a good night's sleep, but for children it is doubly important!

Recent studies show losing even one hour of sleep a night, for seven nights can impair neurocognitive functioning and hinder early language learning.

Sleep deprivation can alter the initial stages of speech perception and cause children to incorrectly code phonetically different speech sounds. This can cause problems later on when a child is learning to read and develop comprehension skills.

Overall, poor sleepers demonstrate lower scores for receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, literacy and early math abilities, compared to their well-rested peers.

Doctors and educators agree, for healthy development and maximum learning, it is vital for preschoolers to have a regular bedtime and get adequate sleep.

Children in pre-school should sleep between 11-13 hours a night. School-aged children need between 10-11 hours of sleep a night.

Here are some suggestions for establishing a healthy sleep habits:

Have a consistent and relaxing bedtime routine. Allow time for a warm bath, a healthy light snack or drink, a bedtime story, putting homework in the book bag for school the next day etc.

Keep bedtime talk light, positive and happy.

Avoid stimulating activities, caffeinated drinks and heavy meals two hours prior to bedtime.

Keep the bedroom dark, quiet and a little bit cool.

Have your child go to bed an wake up at the same time every day.

For more information about the importance of healthy sleep habits, and the treatment of sleep disorders, visit the website of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine at:

http://www.aasmnet.org/