Dr Sarah Biggs participated in The Conversation this week, talking about sleep.
http://theconversation.com/regular-bed-times-as-important-for-kids-as-getting-enough-sleep-19396
So, what's so important about sleep?
Sarah's research tells us that sleep is critical for normal child development. However, it is not just about total hours of sleep. Having a regular bedtime is important.
Sit up, all parents!
Children who go to bed at a regular time each night are much less likely (as much as half as likely) than children who have irregular bedtimes to have hyperactivity and behavioural problems. A child whose bedtime varies from night to night by as much as 2 hours is 6 times more likely to have behavioural problems.
The key message?
Each child needs to have a regular bedtime and have 9-11 hours sleep each night.
An early night anyone?
Well done Sarah.
Euan Wallace
Director, The Ritchie Centre
