Naptime for Toddlers
Parents, if you have a cranky toddler who doesn't take naps, you both may suffer. Our parenting expert and Early Brain Development Specialist, Deborah McNelis, will share the latest research on the importance of naptime from her post, "Naptime is Great." Let's find out why.
"Naptime is much more than providing rest for a child ... and a break for parents! Children's developing brains need adequate amounts of sleep for healthy brain development
We all know what it is like to deal with an over tired child. The reason for the behaviors we experience is due to a child not being able to handle the results of inadequate amounts of sleep. First of all the child still has an immature brain. It hasn't developed enough to provide the ability to deal with feelings of brain systems being out of balance. This is even difficult for adults. Getting enough sleep helps keep brain systems in balance. When children have had enough sleep it enhances cognitive functioning and moods.
New research lead by the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that, "toddlers between 2 and a half and 3 years old who miss only a single daily nap show more anxiety, less joy and interest and a poorer understanding of how to solve problems."
Assistant Professor Monique LeBourgeois of CU Boulder led the study. She states, “This study shows insufficient sleep in the form of missing a nap taxes the way toddlers express different feelings, and, over time, may shape their developing emotional brains and put them at risk for lifelong, mood-related problems.”
Additionally LeBourgeois shares, “Just like good nutrition, adequate sleep is a basic need that gives children the best chance of getting what is most important from the people and things they experience each day,”
Recommended amounts of sleep and tips on promoting sleep are shared in SLEEP ENHANCES COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AND INFLUENCES MOODS.
Sleep well!"
Let's give Deborah McNelis a BIG HAND for bring this important research to us.
Please connect with Deborah McNelis and at www.braininsightsonline.com
Bonus Article:
Motivation – 5 Ways Parents Can Motivate Pre-School Kids
Parents, it's your turn to take the stage:
What are your opinions about this blog post or your suggestions for helping your kids? Please answer in the comment link below.
With warm wishes,
Jean Tracy, MSS
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Thanks for your comment Joe.
Posted by: Jean Tracy, MSS | May 18, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Words can't say how much I appreciate what you've mentioned here... Thanks a lot for this info.
Posted by: GED Online | May 18, 2012 at 01:01 AM