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Sleep deprivation can contribute to a tough day for anyone by making it hard to think or focus. However, it can especially hinder child development since this is a time in one's life when a lot of new skills are learned. The guide below further explores the links between sleep and education and how to help your child rest easier.

How Is Sleeping Connected to Learning?

Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep may play a role in declarative memory, which deals with long-term knowledge of factual information, concepts, and past events. Slow-wave sleep (SWS), the deepest stage of non-REM sleep, also affects how data is processed and consolidated. Therefore, getting a good night's rest is essential for forming new memories and learning new skills. 

Sleep also impacts motor coordination and procedural memory—the kind of memory responsible for recalling how to perform certain actions, such as the motions involved with riding a bike.

How Can You Improve Your Child’s Sleeping Routine? 

child development

To promote healthy child development, make sure your son or daughter receives at least nine to ten hours of sleep per day. Set a routine for each evening to maintain their circadian rhythm and to help them feel rested. This should include turning off electronics at least two hours before bedtime to help your child wind down. Electronics can inhibit the production of melatonin and serotonin, hormones that induce sleepiness. Instead, consider setting them up with a relaxing bubble bath before bed, reading them to sleep, or both.

If you have a child between four and five years old, you should start weaning them off naps. Naps that they do have should be shorter and during the early afternoon, so it doesn't interfere with bedtime. You should also encourage them to get exercise and a lot of natural sunlight during the day to help them burn off excess energy.

 

While a good's night sleep can help your child learn more easily, they will also benefit from attending a high-quality child care center. For that, turn to Academic Advantage Child Development Center. Their staff focuses on creating a positive, educational, and social environment for children ranging from six weeks to twelve years old. For more information about their child development programs, visit them online. Call (402) 465-4769 to reach the Northwoods, NE, location, (402) 421-7301 to reach the 15th Street Lincoln location, or (402) 420-5440 for the 56th Street Lincoln location. Like them on Facebook to learn more about their upcoming activities.

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