Nursery World - Sleep tight

Children will only have a successful day at nursery if they have a proper sleep at night. Rosalyn Spencer explains how Every day in our nurseries and schools we have to cope with children who are sleepy, cannot concentrate, have problems relating to others, or are disobedient, hyperactive or aggressive. Sleep deprivation is thought to be one of the main reasons.

Children will only have a successful day at nursery if they have a proper sleep at night. Rosalyn Spencer explains how

Every day in our nurseries and schools we have to cope with children who are sleepy, cannot concentrate, have problems relating to others, or are disobedient, hyperactive or aggressive. Sleep deprivation is thought to be one of the main reasons.

Researchers believe that modern lifestyles are responsible for two-thirds of children in the UK not getting enough sleep. By the age of seven some children will have missed out on 4,500 hours of their recommended sleep levels. Professor Jim Horne of Lough- borough Sleep Research Centre says that sleep-deprived children may show no obvious signs of fatigue, yet become hyperactive and irritable. He argues, 'Bedrooms are changing from places of rest and tranquillity to places where there are lots of things to keep a child awake, such as computers and televisions.'

On a typical night a person goes through about five full cycles of sleep which run in the following order: drowsiness, light sleep, dream sleep, deep sleep, return to dream sleep, return to light sleep, return to drowsiness, and finally wakefulness, before the whole cycle is repeated.

The growth hormone, of vital importance to a child's development, is only released during deep sleep. During dream sleep the brain collates information collected through the day and files it into the memory. It is believed that even very young babies use dream sleep to make sense of the world around them.

Daytime rest

Sleep policies in day nurseries have changed a great deal over the years.

Whereas it was once assumed that all children under the age of five would need to take a daytime nap, this is no longer the case.

Nurseries now typically have a separate sleep room with cots for babies where their needs are met on an individual basis. Toddlers will have sleep mats and a blanket during a set quiet period after lunch. However, generally there are no special sleep facilities for the three- or four-year-olds.

Nurseries report that children are usually weaned off sleep before they are three, in preparation for school. They say it is usual for parents of this age group to specifically request that they don't have a nap because it could keep them from sleeping at night.

While many nurseries allow three- year-olds to use the toddler facilities or cushions if they are unwell or if a nap has been specifically requested, some practitioners fear that children are not being encouraged to get the daytime rest they need.

And so to bed

Sleep problems at home can cause great stress in the family. When a child sleeps badly, their exhausted parents may get cross with the children and each other. At home, children may be difficult to manage, throw temper tantrums or quarrel with their brothers and sisters.

In order to address sleep problems, parents need to understand the requirements of their children at different stages and create a routine that meets these needs.

Some basic guidelines

* Make it clear that it's time for sleep

* Go through the same ritual every night, including a bedtime story. Make this as unrushed as possible.

* Say goodnight and leave the child in their room.

* The next time they cry out, leave them a little longer before going to soothe them.

* Don't give in to requests for food and drink.

* Encourage children to stay in their bed by using an incentive, such as a star chart.

* Provide plenty of praise when they settle.

If parents are consistent every night and manage to achieve the recommended amount of sleep for their child, they will be rewarded with happier, healthier and better behaved children.

Further information

* 'Breakfast to Bedtime' is a free 15- minute video available from the National Family and Parenting Institute, 430 Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL. Please send an A4 stamped addressed envelope.