Consistent nighttime sleep aids kindergarten adjustment

A study published in ‘Pediatrics’ suggests that establishing a consistent nighttime sleep routine of at least 10 hours can significantly aid young children in adjusting to kindergarten. Research led by Professor Doug Teti monitored the sleep habits of 220 children across several months, including the period before school starts and throughout the academic year.

The findings indicate that children who consistently slept 10 or more hours per night before starting school were more likely to maintain stable sleep patterns throughout their enrollment. Notably, the study found that simply reaching a total of 10 hours of sleep within a 24-hour period—including naps—was not as effective for school adjustment as consistent nighttime sleep.