Early to Bed or Up Late: What’s the Secret to Raising Smart and Tall Children?

The Benefits of Early Bedtimes for Children’s Development

Sleep plays a vital role in the overall development of young children, particularly when it comes to their height growth. Childhood is considered a critical period for this development. When children get enough sleep during this stage, their bodies are given the opportunity to produce growth hormones during deep sleep. This has a significant impact on promoting their height, helping them grow stronger and reach their maximum potential in the future.

Maintaining an early bedtime routine not only influences height but also contributes to children’s intellectual and overall health development. Going to bed early is an important factor in supporting the healthy development of a child’s brain. Throughout the day, brain cells work tirelessly to perform academic and physical tasks, while at night, the brain needs time to recover and rest. Especially since children’s brains are not yet fully developed, they require more sleep than adults.

Furthermore, an early bedtime ensures sleep quality, helping children maintain a stable and energetic mindset for learning. After a long day at school and engaging in physical activities, children may feel tired and demotivated. Going to bed on time is an effective way for them to recharge, improving their ability to focus on their studies and think more sharply the next morning. Conversely, a lack of adequate rest can lead to drowsiness and a lack of concentration, hindering knowledge acquisition.

A good night’s sleep also aids children in memory retention. When they get enough sleep, their brains have time to relax and reinforce the information learned during the day, while also preparing to absorb new knowledge.

Additionally, early bedtimes can help prevent myopia in children. In the evenings, children’s eyes are often exposed to various types of blue light emitted from computers, televisions, and phones. Especially in low-light conditions, the eyes have to work harder to adjust. This can lead to a higher risk of myopia. Going to bed early reduces exposure to blue light, thereby lowering the chances of refractive errors.

It can be affirmed that early sleep offers numerous practical benefits for children’s comprehensive development. Research has shown that children who maintain early bedtimes tend to have better physical health, enhanced memory, and sharper cognitive abilities compared to those who stay up late. Conversely, those who stay up late often experience irritability, are more prone to anger, and have weaker immune systems, resulting in a higher risk of illness.

Lack of Sleep Can Decrease Children’s IQ

Studies reveal that sleep deprivation has a considerable negative impact on children’s IQ, with factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, malnutrition, and sleep deprivation requiring attention. Among these, sleep deprivation is identified as the primary cause of diminished intelligence. Children who do not maintain a regular bedtime routine often struggle with IQ tests.

When children are in a deep sleep state, their bodies and brains, in particular, are completely relaxed. During this phase, the brain releases hormones essential for cognitive development. Prolonged sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality can lead to a hormone deficiency, hindering their ability to receive and process information, thereby slowing down their intellectual growth.

Therefore, experts recommend that preschool and elementary school children should sleep for at least 10 hours each day, while middle school students need approximately 9 hours. This translates to children going to bed before 9 PM and waking up after 7 AM.

Maintaining an early bedtime routine is crucial. In reality, many parents who stay up late may unintentionally instill similar habits in their children. If this persists for an extended period, making changes becomes more challenging. Thus, cultivating an early bedtime routine for oneself and one’s children, especially during the formative years from ages 3 to 6, is highly necessary.