My kids have always been pretty good about going to bed when I tell them it's time. I'm someone who likes to stick to a schedule, so we stay consistent with bedtimes (although what time they get up and how long they nap is a totally different story.) My friends who don't have kids and my relatives with grown children don't understand (or have forgotten) why I can't be a little more flexible. The bedtime routine is so important in my house because if my kids don't get enough sleep, the effects are felt for days to come. New research shows that sticking to a schedule and getting enough sleep could give young children a developmental boost. Parents were interviewed for this study when their children were 9 months old, and then again at 4 years old. According to researchers, "Kids who had a consistent bedtime at the age of 4 scored higher on a number of tests, including some that measured literacy and math abilities. Earlier bedtimes and parental rules about keeping bedtime routines also were associated with higher scores on developmental measures." The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that preschool children get at least 11 hours of sleep each night. I have friends who let their children decide when to go to bed. Admittedly, most of these friends are a lot more laid back than I am and have more children than I do. It seems to work well for them, but for many people I know that have young children, sleep is an issue. What has your experience been like? Do your children have a consistent bedtime? Do they get enough sleep? Is (or was) the issue of sleep a struggle in your house? Are you surprised that sleep could be this important to the development of little ones? |
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