It isn’t hyperbole to say that sleep is key to the health of your child. From a child’s first days of life to their first steps, sleep is the foundation that allows them to reach their full potential. There are several reasons why a child’s sleep is imperative for their health, including development, academic performance, and a general sense of well-being.
Improved Brain Development
Studies have shown that better-quality sleep offers a window of opportunity for children’s brain development. Sleep is crucial for the development of the brain. Sleep is the foundation for waking well-rested, and if a child is well-rested, he or she can absorb all of the information around them far more quickly.
Better Concentration
Have you ever noticed how a lack of sleep can cause you to have a less productive day at work? If so, you are not alone. According to researchers, sleep deprivation can cause people to lose focus on the day’s primary goal and lose their ability to concentrate. This is also true for children, and while adults have the luxury of consuming caffeine, a child does not. Therefore this lack of concentration can severely impact their learning ability and can cause issues at school. A well-rested child will be able to concentrate and focus more deeply than one who is sleep-deprived.
Problem Solving
According to research, sleep is crucial for cognitive function and learning. Researchers found that most of the problem-solving in preschool-age children was accomplished during sleep. There is also evidence that sleep helps kids learn, remember, and get along with their peers. Children who don’t get enough sleep have difficulty paying attention and learning. This will ensure that a child can handle problems in the future, enabling them to become more successful.
It Will Give Them More Energy During The Day
A good night’s sleep is also essential in encouraging a healthy routine. Children who don’t get enough sleep will have less energy during the day. They may also take more naps than usual. All of this results in a cycle whereby they are not tired when it is time to go to sleep, so they are even more tired when they have to wake early again. Then the cycle continues getting worse as time goes on. Another knock-on effect stems from a lack of daytime energy, namely a higher chance of obesity. Because the child is not running around or playing with friends, they are more likely to be sedentary throughout the day.
Improved Socialization
Sleep is strongly related to the development of social skills, such as friendship and cooperation. Since many people have all seen the signs of sleep deprivation in children, such as shorter attention span, irritability, and difficulty getting along with others, it is easy to forget that these symptoms can directly affect how a child interacts with other children. There is a certain age where children begin to make friends, and if a lack of sleep is causing antisocial behavior, it could lead to more significant issues as they get older. To cope with the world and prepare for adult life, they need a sufficient amount of sleep.
How to improve their sleep
Some simple things will help your child to fall asleep more quickly and ensure that it is of good quality. The first thing is to ensure that their bed is the right firmness for them and the correct size. They will not sleep well if the mattress is too soft or too hard. Furthermore, if it is not a good fit for them, they will not feel secure. You can often find out your options regarding mattress dimensions by checking online. Another method to help children get the recommended amount of sleep is to create a routine and be strict about it. Not only will this teach them boundaries, but it will also train their minds into becoming sleepy at certain times and waking refreshed in the morning. You may even find that you won’t need to wake them up.
Symptoms of lack of sleep
If your child doesn’t get enough sleep, there are several ways to tell. Some are obvious, but others might take a bit more investigation to realize that it is due to extreme tiredness.
Difficulty Walking
If your child has difficulty waking up in the morning, this could be a sign of poor quality sleep. However, this is not necessarily axiomatic as some children, as with adults, don’t like waking up. Nevertheless, communication is the key to understanding if it is merely disdain for the morning or something more serious.
Constantly Falling Asleep
If a child is constantly falling asleep during the day, this could be symptomatic of a lack of sleep. However, further examination is needed because this could also be other more severe and underlying health issues such as depression or insomnia.
Craving Sugar
This point is somewhat tricky as children, as adults are obsessed with sugar and simple carbohydrates. Nevertheless, a constant sugar craving could be the result of not sleeping well. Although the child doesn’t understand the physiological mechanisms at work, they know very well that eating sugar makes them less tired. This can be a hazardous habit that they form, so it is vital to get to the root cause.
Lack Of Motivation
Once a child begins to lack motivation, their entire future can come tumbling down. If they are of school age, it can be difficult for a teacher to involve them in classes, unintentionally pushing them further away from academic success. However, the absence of motivation could merely be from sleep deprivation.
Forgetfulness
Similarly to the lack of motivation, forgetfulness is a sign of a lack of sleep. Again like motivation, it will be highly detrimental to a child’s learning as time goes on.
Moodiness
People of all ages, including children and adults, experience moodiness when they do not get enough sleep. Although moodiness can occur from time to time, it may indicate that the child is not getting enough sleep if it is recurring.
Sleep is essential for the excellent health and mental agility of adults, but it is even more critical for a child’s mind. It can affect small things in their lives that can spiral out of control if not remedied. It is not too much of a stretch to say that a child’s future success depends on getting enough quality sleep.
