Children benefit from regular bedtimes, study shows
07/06/2010
Making sure children have regular bedtimes is essential for helping them learn effectively, the results of a new study show.
SRI International found that for four-year-olds, this is the most consistent predictor of positive development when it comes to literacy and maths.
Furthermore, the youngsters were found to be much more expressive in their language and phonologically aware than those whose parents had not imposed strict bedtime rules.
"Paediatricians can easily promote regular bedtimes with parents and children, behaviours which in turn lead to healthy sleep," commented Erika Gaylor early childhood policy researcher for SRI International.
She highlighted that bedtime reading is a great way of interacting with a child before they go to sleep and ensuring they have wound down enough to doze off.
It was recently said by Dr Tanya Byron in an article for the Times that parents should take time out of their evening to read to their children, as physically being next to the youngster will help them relax.
Posted by Michael Ewing
