Naps are the unsung heroes of our children’s lives. They help children develop by giving their minds and bodies time to recharge and grow. Naps provide a break from the excitement of life, preventing children from becoming overtired and fussy. While naps may not be the cure-all for temper tantrums, they can help reduce their frequency by giving children a chance to take a breather.

It should come as no surprise that sleep helps your child feel better cognitively and physically. The same can be said for adults: when we get enough sleep, we are better able to conquer the tasks of the day, remain focused, engaged, and emotionally stable.

How Do Naps Help with Development?

Naps are not just a great way to ensure that your child can recharge and have enough energy to face the day. Naps also help children to grow to meet developmental milestones. These milestones include cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Naps help a child to grow in these areas in several ways, including:

Memory Storage and Enhancement

Naps allow for memories of the day to be stored in long-term memory. Storing memories in the long-term memory bank allows your child to be able to retrieve the information as needed. Besides, naps help in working memory. Working memory is found within short-term memory. It allows for the storage of information for a short amount of time so that it is easy to access while working through a problem.

Development of Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills are related to a child’s ability to recall information on how to complete a task, as well as their ability to problem-solve. This is affected by the alertness of your child. When they are alert and able to focus, children are better equipped to successfully problem solve.

Recharging from Daily Activities

Naps give your child time to recharge from the day’s events. When a child does not get enough sleep, they become more irritable. They are unable to fully concentrate on tasks and, as a result, become frustrated, which commonly leads to temper tantrums.

Physical Health and Restoration

Sleep is needed to restore the body as well as the mind from the activities and experiences of the day. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health.

Growth and Development

While sleeping, a growth hormone is released. This hormone helps to reduce stress levels and supports physical development.

Naps play a critical part in your child’s development, as well as in your life. Naptime allows you, as a parent, a chance to recharge. You can decompress from the day’s events so far, better equipping you to face the rest of the day. Naps are important for your family’s health and well-being.

How Much Sleep Does Your Kid Need?

The amount of sleep that each kid needs depends on the child and their sleep needs. There are some recommended averages regarding how much sleep children should get, including:

Newborns

On average, babies around this age need between 16-20 hours of sleep. Newborn sleep is sporadic and generally takes place in several 40-minute to 2-hour naps throughout the day and evening. They often wake to be fed.

4-12 Months

Babies who fall within this age bracket sleep anywhere from 12-16 hours a day. Most of this sleep time will happen during the night, with the rest being made up with several (2-4) naps throughout the day that last between 1 to 2 hours.

Toddlers (Ages 1-3 Years)

Toddlers need between 12 and 14 hours of sleep per day. Many will transition to taking one nap midday lasting between 1 and 3 hours.

Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

Preschoolers need between 10-13 hours of sleep per day. By the age of 4 and 5, most children are no longer taking naps, but they do benefit from “quiet time.” This can be 30-60 minutes and is a great time for them to practice independent play and learn the importance of taking a break.

School-Age (Ages 5-12)

School-age kids need between 9-12 hours of sleep. This sleep is usually achieved at night because they are no longer taking naps.

These are the recommended averages of sleep for children, but every child is different. As a parent, you can see your child’s behaviors and mood, and you know them best.

How Do I Know If My Child Is Getting Enough Sleep?

When children don’t receive enough sleep, there are some telltale signs to look for, such as:

• Being irritable, overly emotional, or aggressive
• Not wanting to wake up from sleep
• Sleepiness throughout the day
• Being impatient and quick to become frustrated
• Inability to focus

If your child is showing any of these signs, they may need more sleep. Your child may not be getting enough sleep for many reasons, but two specifics could be overstimulation or a sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbances can include nightmares, sleep apnea, and insomnia. If your child is struggling to get enough sleep day after day, it may be time to talk to a professional.

Seeking Professional Help

Certified sleep consultants, or pediatric sleep coaches, can help you to understand why your child is not receiving enough sleep and create a plan to counteract the problem. Oftentimes, a coach will examine the environment in which your child sleeps as well as their sleep habits. They will look at the bedtime routine and work to help you create a routine that will be more beneficial to your child.

Understanding the importance of nap time for kids’ early development is crucial for parents. Naps are not merely breaks in the day but essential components for cognitive, emotional, and physical growth. By recognizing the signs of sleep deprivation and knowing the appropriate amount of sleep for each age group, parents can better ensure their children are well-rested and ready to grow and learn. If challenges persist, seeking professional help can provide tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each child and family.