The early years of life are crucial for children’s brain development. To ensure their intelligence and brain development, we need to consider factors such as learning, playing games, nutrition, and of course, sleep. While sleep is important for adults, it is even more crucial for young children, as their brains are developing rapidly during the early years. Therefore, experts recommend establishing a nap routine for children. This contributes greatly to their intelligence and future success.
Nap time is very important, but many children prefer to play rather than take a nap.
Why is sleep important?
Some studies have shown that even a short nap improves intelligence and height compared to children who do not nap.
Napping helps reduce stress on the nervous system, increases blood flow, and provides more nutrients to the brain, helping children develop their minds. The early years of life are crucial for brain development and future success.
Experts have observed differences in the development of children who take naps compared to those who do not. Napping children are more alert, have better learning and memory retention. Especially, napping children usually have more flexible thinking than those who avoid napping.
Active nappers tend to handle problems better and are more flexible in their afternoon activities. Children who do not nap or do not get enough quality sleep tend to be sluggish in the afternoon, have poorer learning abilities, and slower response times. Consequently, children who do not nap often lack knowledge and do not enjoy going to school.
Napping is also related to a child’s height. In the early years, children grow rapidly, and sleep has a significant impact on their height. Napping children produce more growth hormones related to height.
How to ensure proper nap time for children
Because of the importance of nap time, parents should establish this habit for their children. When at home, parents should also take a nap and consider it a regular practice so that children understand its importance and develop it from a young age. It is advisable to turn off lights and close doors to create a sleep-friendly environment.
Children should not nap immediately after a meal. After eating, the digestive system works the hardest, so children need to rest for at least 15 minutes before nap time.
Duration of nap: While napping is good, children should not nap for too long as it may affect their nighttime sleep. Nighttime sleep is even more important. Therefore, children only need to nap for about 1 hour and then return to their activities. Younger children may take a longer nap. Due to physical development needs, optimal nap time for infants is 1-5 hours, 3 hours for children aged 4-6 months, 2 hours for 1-year-olds, 2 hours for 2-3-year-olds, and 1 hour for children over 3 years.
When the child wakes up from the nap, let them talk for a while before allowing them to get up and play. Do not encourage the child to wake up immediately upon waking. It is not good for the child because their body cannot adjust quickly. If the child is not fully awake, you can give them a sip of water or gently wipe their face.
Establishing a proper nap routine for children is a way to support their brain development and intelligence. In addition, parents should pay attention to the child’s nutrition. Adequate sleep at night is also particularly important. Avoid letting children sleep after 10 pm, as late sleep can have a significant impact.