BEDTIME REGULATES KIDS' EMOTIONS

When children go to sleep on time, they have controlled emotions and behaviour, finds study

A consistent bedtime for children displayed better control over emotions and behaviour while working with others or under stress, a new study has found.

Researchers, including those from The Pennsylvania State University, US, analysed sleep and behaviour data of 143 six-year-olds, mothers of whom were trained about responsive parenting in the first 2.5 years following birth.

The parenting style revolves around responding to a child's emotional and physical needs in a warm and consistent manner. One of the aspects of responsive parenting involves creating a supportive and predictable sleep environment, techniques for which include comforting babies by rocking or patting, among others.

Responsive parenting helped children develop bedtime routines and sleep behaviours in the first year after birth, according to a 2016 study, published in the journal Pediatrics, which too was conducted by researchers at The Pennsylvania State University.