Sleep and cognitive function in young children

Robinson-Smith, Lyn; Ball, Helen L.

Sleep and cognitive function in young children

Robinson-Smith, Lyn; Ball, Helen L.

Authors

Lyn Robinson-Smith

Professor Helen Ball h.l.ball@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

The emerging picture from research studies that have attempted to define what ‘normal’ sleep duration might be for young children is that sleep duration is subject to great variability resulting from biological, environmental and social factors. Parents are concerned about their child’s sleep for important reasons, given the wealth of evidence linking sleep with developmental outcomes. Insufficient sleep has a number of daytime consequences, predominately impairment in cognitive function which is more pronounced in younger than older children and is associated with family socio-demographics. Bedtime routines are related to better sleep outcomes which are achieved the more frequently the routine is implemented. When children experience insufficient night-time sleep they may compensate for this through daytime napping; a behaviour which also supports cognitive function and facilitates subject specific learning. Encouraging parents to implement and develop appropriate bedtime routines and helping them to identify cues relating to their child’s individual sleep need will contribute to supporting cognitive function and learning.

Citation

Robinson-Smith, L., & Ball, H. L. (2017). Sleep and cognitive function in young children. International Journal of Birth and Parent Education, 5(1), 27-30

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Sep 12, 2017
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2017
Deposit Date	Oct 25, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Nov 7, 2017
Journal	International Journal of Birth and Parent Education
Print ISSN	2054-0779
Electronic ISSN	2054-0787
Publisher	Birth and Parent Education
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	5
Issue	1
Pages	27-30
Publisher URL	https://ijbpe.com/index.php/journals/past-issues/volume-5-issue-1-contents