Some parents may worry that their child will have difficulty sleeping at night when they have taken a nap. In fact, there are many benefits of napping for children, you know. Even naps are said to increase children's intelligence.
The growth and development experienced by the Little One will drain a lot of energy. Therefore, in addition to adequate intake and nutritional needs, your little one also needs more sleep than adults. Now, One way is to take a nap.
Various Benefits of Napping for Children
In addition to meeting a child's daily sleep needs, getting children to take a nap will also provide various benefits, namely:
1. Make it easier for children to sleep at night
Napping can help reduce fatigue from a day of playing and activities. Fatigue is one of the factors that can make it harder for children to sleep at night. That is why, napping will actually make it easier for children to sleep at night.
2. Supporting children's learning process
Naps can help children remember things they have learned. Not only that, they will be better able to focus.
Research has also shown that children who take naps excel at games that rely on memory. This benefit will be optimal if the nap is done regularly.
3. Keeping the child's weight healthy
Research shows that children who don't get enough sleep or have irregular sleep patterns are more likely to become obese. This is associated with the emergence of a child's tendency to eat more when he is tired. When children experience an increase in appetite, they also tend to choose foods with poor nutritional content.
In addition, fatigue will also make children less active, so it is easier to gain weight.
4. Improve the child's mood
Children who took a nap were rated as having a better mood than children who did not take a nap. Research also states that children under five years old (toddlers) who don't take naps are more often restless and react worse to unpleasant events.
How Long Should Children Nap?
The recommended nap duration is around 90 minutes. If you feel it's not enough, you can schedule 2 nap times. This depends on the sleep needs of your little one.
For example, a child aged 1-2 years needs 14 hours of sleep. Now, Mothers can divide their sleep time into 11 hours of sleep at night and 3 hours of naps during the day. The first nap can be done in the morning after breakfast, then the second is done in the afternoon after lunch.
The duration of naps needed by children will decrease with age. Children aged 6 years and over usually only need about 30 minutes of nap time.
Easy Ways to Help Children Take a Nap
When playing or doing activities, it is not uncommon for children to refuse to take a nap. If this happens, there are a few tricks you can do, namely:
1. Make naps a routine
You can set a nap schedule at the same time and place every day. Setting the same schedule every day will make naps a routine, so your child will find it easier to follow.
2. Enforce a “silent time”
Mothers can give "quiet time" before bedtime as a transition period from play to bedtime. For example, you can take your little one to bed when it's nap time and let your little one fall asleep on their own.
As much as possible do not force the child to sleep, because it will trigger resistance from the child and make it difficult for them to sleep.
3. Increase activity in the morning
Mothers can also increase their little one's activities in the morning, for example, taking him for a walk to the market, jogging in the morning, or putting him in the gym playgroups. Children who do a lot of activity in the morning will usually feel more tired during the day and are easier to take a nap.
4. Create a comfortable bedroom atmosphere
A comfortable and cool room and atmosphere can also make it easier for children to fall asleep. Therefore, Mothers should arrange for the Little One's bedroom to be clean, cool, and with dim or dark lighting.
To take your child to bedtime, you can also put your little one in pajamas, read short stories, and sing lullabies.
Now, now you know, right, what are the benefits of napping for children? So, start getting your little one to take a nap. In addition, when your little one takes a nap, Mother will also have a break to rest
