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

Published on: October 2, 2019

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Sleep and behavior of preschool children under typical and nap-promoted conditions

Rebecca M C Spencer1, Carolina Campanella1, Desiree M de Jong2

  • 1Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Neuroscience & Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Sleep Health
|October 27, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Research
  • Child Development Studies

Background:

  • Children naturally stop napping in early childhood, but the ideal timing for this transition remains debated.
  • Understanding factors influencing nap cessation is crucial for child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictors for when children should stop napping by comparing sleep and behavior in frequent, sometimes, and rare nappers.
  • To investigate the impact of an experimenter-promoted nap on children's sleep and behavior.

Main Methods:

  • 133 children (mean age 52.77 months) participated over 16 days.
  • Parental questionnaires and actigraphy were used to collect sleep and behavioral data.
  • A nap was promoted on one study day for all participants.

Main Results:

  • Frequent nappers had shorter overnight sleep duration, but total 24-hour sleep did not differ across napping groups.
  • Self-regulatory skills (effortful control) were slightly higher in children who rarely napped.
  • Nap promotion increased total sleep duration for all children, particularly frequent nappers.

Conclusions:

  • Emerging self-regulatory behaviors may signal readiness to transition out of naps, potentially linked to brain maturation.
  • Promoting naps may enhance overall sleep and benefit cognitive development in early education settings.
  • Further research is needed to identify maturational cues for optimal nap cessation.
Abstract

Keywords:
CognitionDevelopmentMaturationNapPreschoolSleep

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