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The Importance of Sleep in Childhood and Adolescence

August 27, 2025 CriaziTeam Comments Off

Our partner, “Clínica Fluir”, provided the team with training on the importance of sleep in childhood and adolescence, led by sleep speech therapist Eveli Truksinas, and we would like to share with families some key points on this topic.

A sleep routine plays an important role in the healthy development of children. At night, the body restores energy, strengthens the immune system, and releases growth hormone (GH). During sleep, the brain processes and stores the information acquired throughout the day, which is essential for learning and memory. Children who sleep the appropriate amount of time are better able to manage their emotions and stress. But how can we know if children are getting the right amount of sleep?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, each age group has its own recommendations, and these hours include naps.

It is very important to create a bedtime routine, which should begin about an hour before going to bed, including a warm bath, story reading, and dimming the lights. This helps signal to the body that bedtime is approaching.

For sleep to be of good quality, we must pay attention to whether the child or adolescent has any sleep disorders such as:

  • Night fears
  • Frequent nightmares
  • Sleepwalking
  • Night terrors
  • Insomnia
  • Bruxism
  • Breathing problems
  • Bedwetting frequently after potty training

And what is the impact of poor-quality sleep in the school environment? Sleep problems can directly affect a child’s behavior:

  • Sleepiness or lack of interest
  • Apathy or lack of energy in activities
  • Difficulty completing classroom tasks
  • Irritability and restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Eating outside regular times
  • Difficulty interacting with staff or friends
  • Lack of interest in group activities
  • Frequent mood changes
  • Oppositional behaviors
  • Crying

If we observe carefully, we notice that these behaviors are often mistaken for possible disorders. That is why it is so important to ensure our children’s sleep quality and, in case of any disorder, seek advice from a pediatrician and/or a specialist.

Warm regards,


Liliane


Pedagogical Coordinator – Elementary School