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The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and

Sophie Bellemare1,2, Gabriela López-Arango2, Florence Deguire1,2

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Marie-Victorin Building, 90 Vincent-D'Indy Avenue, Montreal, QC H2V 2S9, Canada.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Poor sleep in early childhood is linked to sensory processing issues, affecting touch, vision, planning, and social skills. Addressing sleep problems may improve sensory development and social-emotional well-being.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Sleep quality and duration are hypothesized to influence sensory experiences.
  • Specific relationships between sleep and sensory processing in early childhood are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal relationship between sleep parameters and sensory processing outcomes in typically developing children.
  • To examine how sleep patterns from infancy to preschool predict later sensory development.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 85 typically developing children from 3-12 months to 4 years.
  • Parent-reported sleep parameters (problems, duration, onset latency, parasomnias).
  • Sensory processing assessed using the Sensory Processing Measure-Parent version (SPM-P).

Main Results:

  • Increased sleep problems correlated with heightened sensory sensitivity (touch, vision) and impaired higher-order functions (planning, social interaction).
  • Infant sleep problems (18 months) predicted sensory processing at 4 years.
  • Infant sleep duration (3-12 months) positively impacted social participation at 4 years.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep plays a crucial role in shaping sensory processing in early childhood.
  • Promoting healthy sleep habits may help prevent or reduce sensory processing difficulties.
  • Improved sleep can support better emotional and social development in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
child developmentchildrensensory processingsleep

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