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Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Sleep and napping patterns in 3-to-5-year old children attending full-day childcare centers

Teresa M Ward1, Caryl Gay, Thomas F Anders

  • 1Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7266, USA. teward@u.washington.edu

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|October 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Preschoolers in full-day childcare nap frequently, averaging 75.8 minutes. Those who nap have slightly less nighttime sleep than peers who do not nap.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Science
  • Child Development
  • Chronobiology

Background:

  • Understanding sleep patterns in young children is crucial for growth and development.
  • Full-day childcare settings are common environments for preschool-aged children.
  • The impact of napping on overall sleep architecture in this age group requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize daytime napping behaviors in 3-5-year-old children attending full-day childcare.
  • To analyze nighttime sleep duration in relation to napping habits.
  • To describe overall 24-hour sleep-wake patterns in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed.
  • Fifty-two healthy children aged 3-5 years participated.
  • Ankle actigraphy was used for continuous sleep and nap monitoring over three consecutive days and nights in childcare settings.

Main Results:

  • Children averaged approximately 10 hours of total 24-hour sleep, as measured by actigraphy.
  • The majority of children (41 out of 52) took naps, with an average nap duration of 75.8 minutes.
  • Children who napped had shorter nocturnal sleep durations (9.0 hours) compared to non-nappers (9.8 hours).

Conclusions:

  • Preschool children in full-day childcare centers typically nap when opportunities are provided.
  • Napping is associated with reduced nighttime sleep duration in this age group.
  • Further research is needed on sleep patterns in diverse childcare settings and their effects on health, growth, and development.
Abstract

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