Anyone who cares for or works with children knows that all is not well if these little tykes don't lie down for a nap. While you may think this technique is for the sake of your child's sanity – or your own – a new study has indicated that regular napping as a kid may actually be a substantial boon for long-term brain health and memory support.
"Until now, there was nothing to support teachers who feel that naps can really help young children. There had been no concrete science behind that," said University of Massachusetts Amherst child psychologist Rebecca Spencer, a contributor to the new study, in a press release.
Spencer and her colleagues reportedly enlisted 40 small children from Massachusetts to take part in the research. The kids were required to complete a spatial-visual challenge that involved remembering how a series of images had been presented to them. The scientists found that all children displayed comparable recollection ability before taking a nap. Little ones who took a nap later in the day performed to about the same degree, but a notable benefit was seen among participants who took a nap regularly from one day to the next.
"We hope these results will be by policy makers and center directors to make educated decisions regarding the nap opportunities in the classrooms," Spencer said of the results. Further research is necessary to confirm this benefit for memory support, but this study may be grounds enough to make sure your little one gets a bit of shut-eye during the day.