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Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
Toddler naps in child care: associations with demographics and developmental outcomes
Melissa M Burnham1, Erika E Gaylor2, Xin Wei2
1Human Development & Family Studies, College of Education, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N Virginia St, Mail Stop 0278, Reno, NV 89557-0278.
Insights
Most 2-year-olds nap for about 2 hours, but nap duration varies by race, ethnicity, and child care setting. These findings on toddler napping can inform child care practices.
Area of Science:
- Child development
- Pediatric sleep science
- Early childhood education
Background:
- Napping is a crucial developmental behavior in toddlers.
- Understanding napping patterns in toddlers within child care settings is important for establishing appropriate caregiving practices.
- Previous research has not fully characterized napping behaviors across diverse populations of toddlers in child care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the rate, duration, and influencing factors of napping in a large, nationally representative sample of toddlers attending child care.
- To identify demographic and child care-related variables associated with toddler napping patterns.
- To explore the relationship between napping and child outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a subset of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, including parent and caregiver reports, and observational measures.
- Inclusion of 3050 participants aged 2 years, routinely in nonparental child care for over 1 hour weekly.
- Measurement of child care type, demographics, bedtime characteristics, and naptime duration; child outcomes assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Research Edition.
Main Results:
- Napping was prevalent, reported in 91% of 2-year-olds, with most naps lasting approximately 2 hours.
- Significant racial and ethnic disparities in nap duration were observed, with Black children napping longer and Latino children shorter than White children, after controlling for socioeconomic status and sex.
- Children in relative care had longer naps than those in nonrelative care; no significant associations were found between napping and child outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Toddler napping duration exhibits notable racial and ethnic differences and varies across different child care settings.
- These findings underscore the need for tailored expectations and practices regarding napping for 2-year-olds in diverse child care environments.
- Child care providers can utilize this information to refine policies and practices related to toddler sleep.
Objectives:
The objectives were to characterize the rate, duration, and factors associated with napping in a large, nationally representative sample of toddlers attending child care.
Design:
We analyzed a subset of data from the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, including parent report, caregiver report, and observational measures.
Participants:
Data were limited to the 3050 participants reporting that their 2-year-old routinely spent greater than 1 hour per week in nonparental child care.
Measurements:
Interviews were completed to measure child care type (relative, nonrelative, center-based), demographics, bedtime characteristics (eg, presence of a bedtime routine, assistance needed to fall asleep), and naptime. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Research Edition was used to measure child outcomes.
Results:
Napping was reported to occur in 91% of 2-year-olds, with most naps reported to last 2 hours. Significant racial and ethnic differences were found in nap duration, with black children napping longer and Latino children napping shorter than white children, controlling for socioeconomic status and sex. Children cared for by relatives had longer naps than those in nonrelative child care. There were no significant relationships between naps and child outcomes.
Conclusions:
Results highlight racial and ethnic differences in daytime napping duration and interesting differences in nap duration in different child care settings. Child care providers may use these results to adopt appropriate expectations, policies, and practices for 2-year-old napping.
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