Sleep is massively important to the development of your child. The amount of sleep required for your little one depends on their age. For infants under 1 12-16 hours of sleep a day is required. Children between 1-2 years need between 11-14 hours, and children between 3-5 years need 10-13 hours a day. To help you understand the importance of a good night’s sleep for your child, the team at Creative Kids Child Care have compiled some of the benefits.
Repairs cells
Sleep is essential for repairing and rebuilding cells. As your child sleeps their body responds to growth hormones, boosting muscle mass, synthesising proteins and building a better immune system. A good night’s sleep makes your child is less prone to illness and quicker to heal after injury.
Improves memory
Sleep has a direct result on a child’s cognitive development. The human brain undergoes massive amounts of changes as children develop and enough sleep will help them reach their full potential. During sleep the brain undergoes memory consolidation, storing information so it can be recalled later.
Regulates weight
Proper sleep can also protect children from becoming overweight or obese. In fact, children who get fewer than 10 hours sleep a night are three times more likely to struggle with their weight than those getting 12 hours or more.
Improves mood
There’s a good reason why children get cranky if they haven’t had enough sleep. A lack of sleep negatively affects the way children regulate their emotions, increasing their levels of anxiety and aggression. A good night’s sleep will reduce stress and help your child process emotions.
At Creative Kids Child Care we believe in the power of sleep. We provide tailored sleep schedules for children from 6 weeks to preschool age to ensure they are getting enough sleep for their development. We also provide busy days filled with activities and adventures to ensure they enjoy a sound sleep at night. For more information about our child care centre, contact us today.
