What is it about?
This research established that around 30% of Australian children have behavioural sleep problems that become worse, rather than resolve, across the first five years. These children also have poorer attention skills and more trouble regulating their emotions. After entering school, the children in this group were more likely to be rated by teachers as having some trouble adjusting to the classroom. Classroom adjustment refers to things like maintaining attention and being able to independently organize materials and themselves.
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Why is it important?
The research establishes the first prevalence rate for embedded, long term early childhood sleep and self-regulation problems and links this with school adjustment. The findings highlight the importance of supporting children with positive sleep habits in the years prior to school entry to ensure they have the best chance of a positive start at school.
Perspectives
My hope is that this paper inspires confidence in parents to tackle ongoing sleep problems children may have across the early years. It is hard work to do so, but there is support out there, and it appears it may be well worth the effort. Of course, while not all children with behavioural sleep problems will experience difficulty transitioning to school, managing early sleep behaviours is one way to decrease risk for many children. Other research on sleep interventions that change parental night time behavior, such as gradual elimination of adult supports at bedtime and during the night, show that these are highly effective. However, I understand that these techniques do test parental tolerance for having their child in some short term discomfort and upset during the change of routine. This tolerance level is different in every family and parents must decide for themselves. If there are no day time behavioural or school adjustment difficulties than perhaps there are no issues. However, if there are daytime behaviour difficulties, mood issues, or even social difficulties, managing sleep is a great place to start.
Dr Kate E Williams
Queensland University of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Early childhood profiles of sleep problems and self-regulation predict later school adjustment, British Journal of Educational Psychology, February 2016, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/bjep.12109.
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