Sleep is serious business. If you have not already done so, please read Blog Posts 1 through 5 that describe how sleep is important and beneficial, from the point of view of the United States of America Department of the Army. A major point, emphasized by the Army, is that more sleep produces more benefits for Soldiers. Also, more sleep produces more benefits for children. Even small amounts of extra sleep help (Blog Post 6). At every age!
Another point made by the army is “A consistent and regimented schedule of sleep- and wake-related activities [Sleep Regularity] helps to lock in other biological systems associated with circadian rhythms. These rhythms include hormone release, digestion, muscle strength, and cardiovascular performance. Circadian rhythms act in tandem with the need to sleep which builds throughout the day. These rhythms optimize the process of falling asleep, staying asleep, and ensuring sleep quality.” And “Although some Soldiers [Children] may require a little more or a little less sleep, for the vast majority of Soldiers [Children] a steady diet of regular sleep is needed to sustain normal levels of brain function and health indefinitely.”
The Army is clear about who is in charge: “Planning for sleep is a leader [Parent] competency”
For young children in day care, dual-career families with long commutes, and older children with scheduled activities, it may be impossible to catch that exact magical drowsy state for going to sleep. An alternative strategy is to maintain a reasonably regular sleep schedule. Here is the evidence from published studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals:
These studies show that irregular bedtimes are harmful. For young children, when parents establish regular bedtimes, the harm is reversible.
