Author: Dr. Sari Rosenberg

Healthy sleep is an indispensable key to emotional and physical wellness across the lifespan – and during childhood, it is a foundational component of optimal overall health and development.

Research demonstrates that the effects of unhealthy sleep during early childhood include but are not limited to:

• Elevated risk for anxiety & depression
• Escalation of behavioral difficulties
• Parent-child relational strain
• Compromised learning & memory
• Adverse impact upon growth and development
• Increased irritability and lack of flexibility
• Recurrent night wakings
• Shortened sleep durations

Fortunately, the benefits of healthy sleep have proven to have quite the opposite impact upon a child’s global development:

• Lowered risk for emotional distress and mood disorders
• Adaptive behavioral regulation capacities
• Positive parent-child relationship dynamics
• Improved learning & memory capabilities
• Strengthened immunity, growth, and developmental functioning
• Decreased risk for obesity
• Enhanced adaptability and flexibility
• A trend of peaceful, uninterrupted full night’s sleep

In this video, early childhood development expert Janeen Hayward – otherwise known as “The Sleep Fairy,” “Sleep Genie,” and “Sleep Whisperer,” provides relationally-based, essential sleep habit tips and tricks for parents of infants, toddlers, and school-aged children:

For more information, please visit: Swellbeing.com

If you are interested in learning more about healthy sleep habits for you and your child, check out our Parent Consultation services or speak to your clinician today.