Every parent knows that a toddler who misses her nap wreaks havoc until bedtime. A new study from the University of Colorado shows that the effects of missing naps may be greater than we realize.
Toddlers who miss naps show decreases in joy, interest and understanding when asked to work picture puzzles.
This study assessed the emotional expressions of healthy toddlers between 2 and a half to 3 years old. Researchers evaluated nap-deprived toddlers one after their normal nap time and tested them again on another day following a normal nap and normal night's sleep (total of at least 12.5 hours of day and nighttime sleep).
- Decrease in positive emotional responses. Nap-deprived toddlers had a 35% decrease in positive emotional responses compared to when well-rested.
- Increase in negative emotional responses. Toddlers had a 31% increase in negative emotional responses when nap-deprived.
- Decrease in the expression of confusion. The study found a 39% decrease in the expression of confusion with the nap-deprived toddlers.
According to CU-Boulder Assistant Professor Monique LeBourgeois, who led the study, "Confusion is not bad -- it's a complex emotion showing a child knows something does not add up. When well-slept toddlers experience confusion, they are more likely to elicit help from others, which is a positive, adaptive response indicating they are cognitively engaged with their world."
This study shows that even missing a single nap can impact your child's ability to engage with others and have positive experiences.
The National Sleep Foundation states that toddlers between 1 and 3 years old need 12-14 hours of sleep. Here's a link to a previous post about children's sleep routines and the amount of sleep kids need by age. We also have information about sleep disorders affecting some children, some of which may require a sleep study for evaluation and diagnosis.
How many hours of sleep does your toddler get each night? Does she still nap?
Photo credit to Caitlin Regan http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitlinator/
