The Importance of Sleep for Little Ones

Sleep is essential for development, immunity, learning, memory and is important for helping a child heal and recover. When we refer to sleep, we look at the quantity and quality of sleep alongside the sleep routine. For a child to grow and participate in daily life successfully, it is essential that they are getting a good amount of quality sleep. This is why at LCTS we are big supporters of a positive sleep routine! 

Every child and is so different, but below is a guide for what children roughly need every night: 

• ages 3 to 5: 10 to 13 hours (including naps)
• ages 6 to 12: 9 to 11 hours
• ages 13 to 18: 8 to 10 hours 

Sleep is the time for restoration and for children's bodies to recharge and retain the information they have learned throughout the day. During deep non-REM sleep, the body's energy is restored, growth and repair occurs, and important brain development hormones are released. 

When a regular sleep routine is enforced, it can help with a number of different areas, including; 

• Positive weight management 
• Reduced risk of diseases 
• Improved concentration and independent play 
• Boosts immune function
• Decreased inflammation across the body
• Improved mood
• Better ability to regulate emotions
• Better ability to respond to situations (i.e., decrease in problem behaviour)
• Better ability to sit and eat a nutritious meal (i.e. regulates blood sugar which in turn can impact sleep/mood and behaviours) 

Sometimes even when you establish good sleeping habits with your child, they can still present with other sleep challenges. For example, 

• having trouble falling or staying asleep
• sleepwalking
• wetting the bed
• night terrors
• teeth grinding
• snoring
• trouble breathing while asleep, or taking long pauses between breaths
• sleeping with their mouth open 

If you have any concerns about your child’s sleep or sleep patterns it is essential to seek a medical review and reach out to a sleep specialist who can support you and your little one to develop a positive sleep routine. 

Please refer to other blog posts that have some tips on how to establish and encourage a positive sleep routine!