A recent study explored the effects of early parental intervention on the regulation of sleep and behavioral development of children at the age of six.
- A study has shown that it is not the amount of sleep that influences the behavior of children, but rather the regularity of their sleeping and awakening hours.
- A greater sleep variability is associated with increased impulsiveness and less good emotional regulation, particularly marked effects in children who have not benefited from early parental intervention.
- To promote optimal socio -emotional development, it is essential that parents and educators establish regular sleep routines from an early age.
The researchers discovered that the duration, quality and average sleep schedule were not necessarily linked to behavioral variables. However, variations in bedtime and the median sleep point have been associated with behavioral difficulties: greater variability of the bedtime was linked to increased impulsiveness and lower emotional regulation, a The greater variability of the median sleep point was also associated with increased impulsiveness. In addition, the effect of the variability of the bedtime on emotional regulation was more marked in the control group focused on domestic security, suggesting that parental intervention has been able to alleviate this negative effect.
Why is the regularity of sleep so important for children?
A good night’s sleep is not enough: it is above all the regularity of schedules that influences the behavioral and emotional development of children. Contrary to popular belief, it is not so much the amount of sleep that plays a decisive role, but rather the stability of hours of bedtime and awakening.
Sleep directly impacts children’s ability to manage their emotions and control their behavior. This regulation is based on internal mechanisms, such as cognitive and neurobiological strategies, as well as external factors, such as the environment and social interactions. As the child’s brain, including his frontal lobe, develops, his ability to master his reactions improves. Conversely, an irregular sleep can lead to relationship difficulties and a lower social adjustment.
A major issue for parents and educators
Parents and education professionals have a key role to play in establishing regular sleep routines. Fixed sleeping hours allow children to better manage their emotions and reduce impulsive behavior, thus promoting more harmonious social interactions.
This study highlights the importance of a preventive approach to parental education. Encouraging good sleep habits from an early age could be an essential key to a balanced emotional and social development.
