X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Lack of Sleep May Lead to Behavioral Problems in Kids, Says Study

3 min read

Did you know that not getting enough sleep during early childhood may lead to both cognitive and behavioural problems later in life?

Reuters Health cited a recent study published in Academic Pediatrics, which claimed that kids who don't get enough sleep may experience developmental difficulties.

"Children who aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep have more difficulties with attention, with emotional control, with reasoning, with problem-solving, and also have behavioural problems," Dr. Elsie Taveras, lead author of the study, explained to Reuters. "What we found was that insufficient sleep in children was associated with poorer executive function and behaviour."

Researchers based these findings on data gathered through monitoring 1,046 children even before they were born. The children's mothers were asked to fill out questionnaires every year, noting their kid's sleeping habits from six months, three years, and seven years old.

Lack of Sleep May Lead to Behavioral Problems in Kids, Says Study

Dr. Taveras urged parents to be consistent when setting up sleep schedules and routines, which are crucial to making sure kids get good sleep.

"Don’t have your child go to sleep at midnight on the weekends and then expect that you’re going to be able to get them to bed and asleep by 8:30 on weekdays," she said in a Reuters interview.

Here are some three tips pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Dean Beebe shared with Reuters Health:

1. Know your goal

The benchmark researchers in the aforementioned study used for what counts as "sufficient sleep" was at least 12 hours during infancy, at least 11 hours for three to four-year-olds and at least 10 hours for kids aged five to seven.

Parents can refer what the National Sleep Foundation recommends as the right amount of sleep depending on their children's age. Consulting a paediatrician to address more specific sleep problems will also help.

2. Pay attention to your child's needs

Lack of Sleep May Lead to Behavioral Problems in Kids, Says Study

Some kids need more sleep than others. Observe your child during nap times, for instance. Are they resistant? Don't pressure them too much. Instead, make nap times fun. You can provide fun incentives like a nap chart that they can update with colourful stickers of their favourite shapes or characters.

3. Set schedules and routines

"The more chaotic and the less predictable that sleep schedule, the more difficulty the kids tend to have with sleep," said Dr. Beebe, adding that easing them into bedtime through storytelling is still an effective way to wind down. "It seems old fashioned but it's very calming, it's very connecting. It can be very soothing, and it's very predictable."

Partner Stories
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!
The Almost Magical, Mum-tested Way To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night
The Almost Magical, Mum-tested Way To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night
Preschool Education is Not as Easy as A-B-C! Here’s What Your Child Really Learns and Why It’s Important!
Preschool Education is Not as Easy as A-B-C! Here’s What Your Child Really Learns and Why It’s Important!
The Ultimate Guide For Parents About Newborn Baby Weight Loss And Gain
The Ultimate Guide For Parents About Newborn Baby Weight Loss And Gain

*This article is republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.

READ: Did you know that sleeping early is healthier for your child?

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

  • Home
  • /
  • Kids
  • /
  • Lack of Sleep May Lead to Behavioral Problems in Kids, Says Study
Share:
  • Effects Of A Lack Of Sleep: Increase In Diseases And Accidents

    Effects Of A Lack Of Sleep: Increase In Diseases And Accidents

  • Good Parent: 7 Signs of Excellent Parenting That Your Kids Deserve

    Good Parent: 7 Signs of Excellent Parenting That Your Kids Deserve

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • Effects Of A Lack Of Sleep: Increase In Diseases And Accidents

    Effects Of A Lack Of Sleep: Increase In Diseases And Accidents

  • Good Parent: 7 Signs of Excellent Parenting That Your Kids Deserve

    Good Parent: 7 Signs of Excellent Parenting That Your Kids Deserve

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.