The experts at St. Louis Children's Hospital say that a "nap a day keeps health concerns away." They warn that when children become overtired moms will see behavior take a nosedive, with kids becoming irritable and emotional. Not a taking a daytime nap can actually make it more difficult for a child to sleep at night.
Everyone needs plenty of sleep, especially growing children. Babies to preschoolers need anywhere from 10 to 18 hours of sleep, which means that napping becomes essential to getting enough sleep through a 24 hour period.
"As a child ages, parents should establish a routine naptime,” says Gail Bennett, infant and toddler specialist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Child Development Center. “Missed naps can lead to chronic sleep deprivation. To help with learning and to maintain a positive and cooperative mood, your child should have daily naps.”
A new national study from Ohio State University suggests that enough sleep, combined with family meal time and limited TV exposure can also lower a child's risk for obesity.
So how do you get your preschooler to nap? NY Early Childhood Examiner has some great ideas: set up a routine for naptime, turn down the lights and never make a nap punishment. It's also a good idea to make sure your child has had enough exercise in order to be tired at nap time.
Click here to see a chart of sleep requirements from St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Comments
Great article
He is so cute! It is good to know that napping is as good for the kids as it is for mom :) Thanks for a great article.
I wish I had better nappers in my house. Very cute picture!
Nice article and picture
I am adding this tip to my health regimin
I'm a firm believer of this!!
Oh how I miss those nap times... a handful of bonbons, feet propped up, relaxing the day away.... psssht... yeah right!
This is a good idea! Nap time is never a bad thing!
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