How closely related are a good night’s sleep and good behavior?

A study recently published in the journal Pediatrics found that 7-year-old children with regular bedtimes are less likely to display behavioral problems during their waking hours than those children without fixed bedtimes. Interesting, but not exactly earth-shattering, news. “I don’t think that anyone with a 7-year–old child at home will be surprised to learn that well-rested children are typically better behaved,” says Dennis Rosen, MD, associate medical director of The Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital. “While it’s nice to have the scientific data, these findings will probably only reinforce what most parents already know.” While the study may not hold any breakthrough revelations, it did reveal that behavioral issues in children without set bedtimes could be reduced or eliminated once bedtimes are introduced. In other words, even if your child doesn’t have a bedtime right now, it’s not too late to start enforcing one, and doing so could correct or lessen behavior problems your child may be having. So, if behavior is becoming a concern in your house and your child doesn’t currently adhere to a regular bedtime, now might be a good time to start. According to Rosen, consistency is key in setting up bedtimes and helping kids stick to them. To do so, he suggests the following: Establish regular routines in the evening. Start by eating dinner at a set time, followed by activities in a predic...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: All posts Health & wellness Parenting Sleep bedtimes Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders dennis Rosen Source Type: news