Do Daytime Naps Make Preschool Children Smarter?

Naps were associated with poorer cognitive performance.

When children stop napping might be the result of cultural or biological mechanisms, parental choice, or child temperament. The effect of the frequency and duration of naps on cognitive development in preschool children has not been studied. These researchers assessed sleep and napping patterns and cognitive performance in 59 typically developing children (age range, 3–5 years) who attended full-time child care in the Washington, D.C., area. The children wore actigraphy watches for 7 days and completed standardized neuropsychological tests to measure vocabulary, attention, and response control. Parents completed standardized behavior rating scales and sleep logs.

Children who napped more during the day slept less at night, although total amo…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics