US researchers from SRI International, an independent research institute in California, found that children who had a set bedtime performed better in language arts, reading and maths compared with those who went to bed at different times.
They also found that children who had earlier bedtimes and slept for a minimum of 11 hours a night had improved cognitive development.
Researchers analysed the data of 8,000 children at the age of four. Data included information from interviews with parents about the times their child usually went to bed and got up at nine months old and again at four years old.
Many of the children involved in the study did not get the recommended amount of sleep per night and subsequently achieved lower on phonological awareness, literacy and early maths skills. The authors warned that this could have negative consequences for school achievement.
SRI International suggests to parents that setting bedtime routines can be an important way to make a significant impact on children’s emergent literacy and language skills. Regular bedtimes can be instilled in parents and children, which will lead to a healthy sleep.
Ms Gaylor also recommended that parents develop pre-bedtime routines, such as reading books or telling stories.
Read the full story at: http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/bulletin/NurseryWorldUpdate/article/1008965/?DCMP=EMC-NurseryWorldUpdate.
Source and thanks to www.nurseryworld.com.
