According to the conclusion of scientists, daytime sleep is extremely important for children. The results of the study showed that those children aged 4-5 years, whose parents no longer laid for daytime rest, showed significantly higher levels of hyperactivity, anxiety and depression than children who continued to sleep 1-2 hours a day at lunchtime.

According to the author of the study, Dr. Brian Crosby of the University of Pennsylvania, previous studies have already shown that intermittent or too short sleep is associated with symptoms of hyperactivity, anxiety and depression.

Scientists have demonstrated that daytime sleep not only perfectly replaces the possible shortcomings of night sleep, but it is important in itself as a respite for the organism of an energetic child.

"Each child has his own predisposition to refuse a day's sleep. And it's better for parents to include a daily afternoon rest for children in the daily routine so that if necessary, they can take a nap, "said Dr. Crosby.

The study analyzed data from 62 children aged 4-5 years. 77% of them slept during the day, 23% did not, which was established on the basis of actiographic data. On average, the first slept 3.4 days a week. Of these, 55% were children of white parents, 53% were boys.

Parents were interviewed about how much the child normally sleeps on weekdays and on weekends, what the nature of the dream is, the demographics of the family. The actigraphic data were collected continuously for 7-14 days.

Crosby hopes that the results of the research will spur parents to not deprive children of a day's sleep ahead of time, especially since the optimal age for refusing midday rest is not yet revealed by health. sumy. ua.

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