A child who has proper sleep is less likely to be troublesome and is well behaved, whereas a tiny change in sleep behaviors can get a kid to lose his temper or become frustrated.
According to a study conducted by Douglas Mental Health University Institute, a world-class institute affiliated with McGill University, if children aged between 7 to 11 years sleep 27 minutes more each night it helps them in controlling their emotions and be well behaved. On the other hand, a kid who lacks sleep of 54 minutes is likely to be crankier and have less control over emotions and impulsive behavior.
Reut Gruber, researcher at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University said in a statement: "These new findings support the importance of sleep among school-age children. We need to provide sleep education to parents, educators, and students featuring data on the critical impact of sleep on daytime function. Sleep must be prioritized."
Gruber and the research team also found during the study that more sleep among healthy children resulted in better IQ performance. At least 10 hours of sleep every night is essential for a kid's good performance in school as well.
Dr. Lisa Meltzer, Pediatric Sleep Specialist at National Jewish Health, who explained the study, also says that kids are reportedly less sleepy during the day along with having less emotional burden which results in them being less likely to cry or get angry. It was also found that the concentration levels are more in class just by sleeping 27minutes more every night.
"Parents reported that they were much more sleepy during the day. Their teachers reported the children were unable to pay attention in class and that they were much more likely to start crying in class or again, get very angry, quickly," Dr. Meltzer said.
Since now it is proved scientifically, more sleep can help a child in many ways for the child's better health and concentration.
"Going to bed one hour earlier, that's not a lot to ask a family, can make a big difference in terms of a child's daytime behavior," Dr. Meltzer said.
Doctors gave an average sleep time-table for children, which will help them enhance their well behaved nature. This sleep duration differs from child to child, with some needing less or more sleep.
For newborns it is recommended to get 15-16 hours of sleep, while children 1-12 months should get 14-15 hours of sleep. Kids aged between 1-3 years need 10-12 hours and 7-12 year-olds need 10-11 hours. Those who are aged between 12-18 years need 8-9 hours.
A study called "Impact of Sleep Extension and Restriction on Children's Emotional Liability and Impulsivity," was recently published in the journal Pediatrics by Ms. Gruber giving the details of kids behaviors impacted due to sleep.
