NAPS

                                                                               NAPS      

  Nap. It's a small word, but for most parents a hugely important one. Why? Sleep is a major requirement for good health, and for young kids to get enough of it, some daytime sleep is usually needed. Crucial physical and mental development occurs in early childhood, and naps provide much-needed downtime for growth and rejuvenation.

          There's no one-size-fits-all answer regarding how much daytime sleep kids need. It all depends on the age, the child, and the sleep total during a 24-hour period. For example, one toddler may sleep 13 hours at night with only some daytime catnapping, while another gets 9 hours at night but takes a solid 2-hour nap each afternoon.

         Naps also help keep kids from becoming overtired, which not only takes a toll on their moods but may also make it harder for them to fall asleep at night. And nap time gives parents a brief oasis during the day and time to tackle household chores or just unwind.

        Napping can be a tough spot in the daily routine of any parent. As infants grow into toddlers they yearn for more control over their environment. Sometimes children decide that they no longer wish to take naps and do everything they can to avoid them. This can be frustrating and confusing to any parent. Some children aged four and five years old may no longer need to nap but this will vary from child to child. Parents may look forward to nap time because they need the downtime themselves. Parents of very active children need nap time to get chores done or to simply just breathe.

          Sleeping is very important for a growing child. While we sleep our bodies do a multitude of important things. Our muscles will heal themselves from daily wear and our bodies release growth hormones while we are sleeping. Children under the age of five are going through incredible growth and they need the extra sleep. Our brains file away and store information while we are sleeping. It is believed that we don't actually learn anything until we lie down to sleep and our brains have had a chance to sort through and store the information.
           It is important to remember that all children are different. Each different child will require a different amount of sleep. As a general guideline all kids up to age five should nap each day. If they cannot sleep they should at least have some quiet time. Children who are two years old generally need 12 to 15 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. One to three hours of this time should be a daytime nap. Children aged three years require the same amount of nap time with the total for the day being 11 to 14 hours. Four and five year olds will need a total of 10 to 13 hours of sleep each day including any nap they may take.