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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
Parenting and sleep in early childhood
1Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Parenting significantly impacts early childhood sleep development through factors like bedtime routines and parental stress. Behavioral interventions empower parents to improve child sleep, highlighting their crucial role.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Family Studies
Background:
- Childhood sleep is shaped by biological and socio-environmental factors.
- Parenting plays a pivotal role in the transactional development of sleep.
- Understanding parenting's influence is crucial for addressing sleep issues in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on the links between parenting and early childhood sleep development.
- To examine parenting factors within a transactional model of sleep development.
- To highlight the role of parents in behavioral sleep interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent longitudinal and large cohort studies.
- Analysis of various parenting factors influencing child sleep.
- Examination of evidence for behavioral sleep interventions.
Main Results:
- Parenting factors like bedtime behaviors, cognitions, and stress significantly affect child sleep development.
- Maternal mood and the parents' relationship also impact sleep.
- Behavioral sleep interventions are effective when parents lead the changes.
Conclusions:
- Parenting is a key determinant in the development of early childhood sleep.
- Transactional influences between parents and children shape sleep patterns.
- Parents are central to successful behavioral sleep interventions for children.
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