Features

Positive relationships: A parent's guide to ... sleep

Sleep is essential for a child to grow and stay healthy, but achieving a routine that is comfortable for both child and parents is not always easy. Penny Tassoni offers advice.

Q: How much sleep does my child need?

The amount of sleep that young children need can vary, but most children under five years are likely to need somewhere between ten and 12 hours. If your child is having fewer hours than this, consider whether they are showing the classic signs of sleep deprivation: irritability, unco-operativeness, frequent infections such as colds that won't go away, and poor concentration.

Q: Should my child have a nap in the day?

Many children under four years old will need a nap during the day. Contrary to popular belief, this will not prevent them from getting to sleep in the evening, provided that the nap takes place early in the afternoon and the child is able to be active afterwards.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here