Five Essential Reasons to Keep Naptime in the - Southern Early ...

Put These Ideas Into Practice!
Five Essential Reasons to Keep Naptime in the
Early Childhood Curriculum
Blanche Desjean-Perrotta
Share this information with families, administrators, health care providers,
policy makers, and others who care about young children’s well being.
Why Naptime Is So Important for Young Children
Reason #1:
Sleep Is Essential to Good Health
• It provides time to rest and renew
energy levels
• It strengthens the body’s immune system
• It helps curb overeating which can lead to
obesity and diabetes
• It diminishes the risk of injury
Reason #2:
Sleep Is Essential for Psychological
and Social/Emotional Wellbeing
• It helps people process the daily events of life
• It reduces stress
• It helps regulate emotions such as irritability
and frustration
• It increases the ability to maintain positive
daily interactions
Reason #3:
Sleep Is Essential for
Cognitive Functioning
• It supports brain development
• It provides time for the brain to
reintegrate information
• It helps with learning and
memory consolidation
• It enhances the ability to learn
abstract concepts
Reason #4:
Sleep Is Essential for Positive Behavior
• It reduces the incidence of oppositional behavior
• It increases the ability to concentrate and
pay attention
• It moderates aggressive behaviors
• It supports positive attitudes and dispositions
Reason #5:
Sleep Is Essential for High
Academic Performance
• It provides time to rest and renew energy levels
• It strengthens the body’s immune system
• It helps curb overeating which can lead to
obesity and diabetes
• It diminishes the risk of injury
Ways to support naptime in early childhood programs
• Include at least one-half to one hour of naptime or quiet time daily.
• Survey families about children’s sleep habits to better understand children’s behaviors.
• Inform families about the benefits to young children of getting the required amount of daily sleep.
• Offer opportunities for young children to learn about the benefits of adequate sleep as part of a comprehensive wellness curriculum.
• Post a checklist of indicators of lack of sleep for quick reference when children exhibit behaviors such as irritability, aggression, or moodiness.
• With families, keep sleep journals to track children’s sleep habits.
• Identify local medical professionals and programs specializing in sleep disorders to share with families as needed.
12 Volume 36, Number 3 DIMENSIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD Fall 2008