If you have not already done so, please read Blog Posts 1 through 5 that describe how sleep is important and beneficial. I will post specific information for parents and children based on my book, “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.” Please do not be put off by my book’s length. This is a reference book. Read only the topic of interest to you.
FOOD
How we feed our child affects their physical health.
Parents choose what to feed their child. Different choices produce different outcomes.
Outcomes: Height, weight, strength, physical health
Deficiencies: Short stature, underweight, muscle weakness, anemia, soft bones,
SLEEP
How we sleep our child affects their brain health.
Parents choose bedtimes* (Blog Post 123) and nap opportunities that affect the elements listed below. Different choices produce different outcomes.
Electrical elements (from EEG recordings):
Components of sleep. All 5 components are interrelated, changing one may change the others. For example, earlier bedtimes* produce longer night sleep durations and fewer night awakenings.
Regional differences of the brain (Blog Post 126)
Critical periods: This is a maturational stage during which some aspects of the nervous system, for example, vision, are especially sensitive to certain stimuli, such as light or healthy sleep. If, for some reason, the brain does not receive the appropriate stimulus during this “critical period”, it may be difficult or even impossible, to develop later in life. (Blog Posts 131 and 132)
Outcomes: Brain development (Blog Posts 72 and 73), cognition (Blog Post 121), coordination, balance, mental health (Blog Post 75).
Deficiencies: Academic, social, emotional, and mental health problems (Blog Post 127).
