Is your child not getting enough sleep? Look out for the signs
Consistent bedtime routines are key to a healthy and restorative sleep regime for children, and essential for their development
Whether you are a child or adult, it can often feel like there are not enough hours in a day to achieve that ideal ratio of work, play and relaxation. But while adults have the freedom to rebel against the clock by staying up later than planned to scroll through social media or binge watch TV, it is important that children get enough sleep so they are well rested for a day of learning at school.
“Sleep plays a crucial role in brain development. During sleep, particularly during the deep stages, the brain consolidates memories, processes information learned during the day, and strengthens the neural connections that are vital for cognitive development,” says Bree Crockett, managing director and occupational therapist at Spot Children’s Therapy Centre, an organisation that has four locations across Hong Kong where it provides services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, counselling and more.
She adds that adequate sleep supports a child’s ability to regulate their emotions and helps improve their problem-solving skills.
“It’s during this time that growth hormones are released, contributing further to physical and mental development. Hence, ensuring that your child gets enough quality sleep regularly can significantly impact their overall well-being and developmental progress,” says Crockett.
Sleep can also affect the body’s immune system and its response to vaccinations. “During sleep, the body repairs, recharges and releases cytokines, which are proteins that are involved in fighting infections and inflammation. Sleep also enhances antibodies production in response to vaccination,” explains Dr Carmen Tam from Central Health, a medical centre with branches in Central, Southside and Discovery Bay. “Adequate sleep speeds up the recovery from illnesses and makes the body less vulnerable to infections and diseases.”
Furthermore, Tam says that most growth hormones are secreted during deep sleep in the first half of the night. “Going to bed early (before 10pm) and uninterrupted sleep will optimise the release of growth hormones, which is vital for children’s growth.”