Importance of Sleep for Kids: Health Benefits Associated With Your Child's Development

Sleep plays a vital role in determining one’s health. And it is more important for your children due to their rapid growth and development. They are probably leading busier and energetic lives than most adults. Sleep determines how they perform in their studies, their behavioural patterns and memory and social skills. In their growing years, sleep is essential for their overall mental and physical health. Just a good night’s sleep is not enough, children need quality sleep during day as well. Sleep deprivation can lead to temper tantrums, concentration and behavioural problems. We outline the health benefits of sleep for your child’s development.

Health Benefits of Sleep for Your Child

Physical Health: Sleep-deprived children are more prone to common health issues like frequent colds and flu. This is because of weak immune system. Sleep allows your kids body to repair and rejuvenate through boosting muscle mass, synthesising proteins, releasing growth hormones and maintaining a strong immune system. Better sleep also benefits weight management. Studies reveal that young children who sleep less than 10 hours at night are three times more likely to be obese than those who get 12 hours or more. Growth hormone is also primarily secreted during deep sleep.

Mental Health: Lack of sleep makes you more tired, cranky and moody. This not only affects adults but also children. Lack of sleep negatively affects the kids’ stress levels making them anxious and aggressive. Sleep increases the readiness to cope with stress in children. Sleep also helps brains process and consolidate memories, helping your children to remember the important things in life. Losing sleep may lead to making silly mistakes and impairs problem solving and focus as brain neurons aren’t able to function optimally.

Weight Management: Getting too little sleep causes kids to become overweight, starting in infancy. Study shows that when parents are coached on the difference between hunger and other distress cues and begin to sooth without feeding and resorting to techniques like swaddling and swinging, babies are more likely to be sound sleepers and less likely to be overweight. Sleep-deprivation impacts the hormone leptin, which signals us to stop eating. Kids tend to overeat and crave for food high in fat and carbs if they haven’t slept well.

Increases Attention Span: Young children who sleep less than 10 hours a night are more likely to be hyperactive, impulsive and distractive. Tired kids can be impulsive and distracted even if they don’t have ADHD. For pre-schoolers, adding as little as 30 minutes of extra sleep per night makes it easier for them to manage their moods and impulses so they can focus on schoolwork.

Reduces Injury Risk: Kids are clumsier when they don’t get enough sleep, setting them up for accidents. Short sleepers are far more likely to have injuries and demand medical attention.

Fights Germs: During sleep, both children and adults produce proteins known as cytokines. The body relies on this protein to fight infection, illness and stress. Besides battling illness, they also make us sleepy which explains why having the flu or cold feels so exhausting. It forces our bodies to rest to aid the body’s ability to heal. Therefore, it is imperative for a child to get enough sleep, to protect themselves from the virus and build strong immunity.

Hence, it is extremely important for children to get their daily dose of vitamin Zzzz. Although, with growing exposure to technology, both parents working, and leading busier lives lead to spending less time with their kids. But we cannot stress enough on how important it is for your children to develop a healthy sleep routine in their growing years. Parents, be mindful of your children’s sleep pattern for happy, intelligent and healthy kids.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2018 12:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).