Why Adequate Preschooler Sleep is So Important

Is your preschooler getting adequate sleep? Does your preschooler constantly resist bedtime? This is a common complaint among preschooler parents. Sometimes this leads to parents conceding or bargaining with their preschooler’s demands, and, consequently, sleep requirements are not met. However, a consistent lack of sleep for your preschooler can have a lifetime of negative effects. Sleep habits during the preschool years are crucial to overall well-being, affecting future performance and development.

How Much Sleep Is Recommended For My Preschooler?

The National Institutes of Health and many sleep experts recommend preschoolers sleep 10 to 13 hours per night. Though every child is different in their sleep needs, this minimum amount of daily sleep is strongly recommended, either through a combination of naps and nighttime sleep or continuous nighttime sleep alone.

The Sleep Myth

While adults typically display daytime sleepiness if they do not get enough sleep at night, many children often show the opposite effect from a chronic lack of sleep. Instead of drowsiness, children can show more active behavior and reduced attention span. Consequently, many sleep deprived children are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

What Happens If My Preschooler Doesn’t Get The Minimum Sleep Requirements?

A study published in The Journal of Developmental and Pediatric Behavior (June 2000) shows a link between behavior problems and preschoolers who sleep less than 10 hours a day. These behaviors include acting out, throwing tantrums and aggressive behavior. A link between less sleep in preschoolers and the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders was also made. Many other studies confirm this link between sleep and behavior problems.

Another study published in the Journal Sleep (Sept 2007) found a link between cognitive development and the amount of sleep in the preschool years. Preschoolers who consistently sleep less than 10 hours per night display reduced verbal and spatial skills, and increased hyperactivity and impulsive behavior upon entry to school (as compared to preschoolers who slept 10 or more hours per night).

According to this study, there may be a “critical period” of cognitive development closely linked to sleep. The quantity and quality of sleep early in life are, therefore, very important to proper growth and development.

Sleep Tips for Preschoolers

1. Make sure your preschooler sleeps at least 10 hours per day.
   
2. You don’t have to be rigid about when those 10 to 13 hours a day are taken. For example if your child likes naps, allow naps. If your child does better with continuous nighttime sleep, schedule sleep accordingly.
   
3. Develop a regular sleep schedule and bedtime.
   
4. Set up a soothing, comfortable bedtime routine (i.e., story time, baths beforehand.)
   
5. Create a dark and quiet sleeping environment, set at a comfortable room temperature.
   
6. Avoid heavy meals before bedtime.
   
7. Avoid rigorous activity before bedtime.
   
8. If you notice snoring, noisy or troubled breathing, which may indicate poor sleep quality, contact your pediatrician.

References:

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. “Your Guide to Healthy Sleep.” November 2005. Retrieved 13 November 2007.

2. Lavigne, John V., et al. “Behavior Problems Among Preschoolers” Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 21(3):164-169, June 2000.

3. Touchette, Évelyne, et al. “Associations Between Sleep Duration Patterns and Behavioral/Cognitive Functioning at School Entry”
Sleep.1213-1219, September 2007.

By: Pia Chaparro