Can Getting Enough Rest Promote Intelligence?

A good rest can actually promote intelligence for both children and adults. Going to bed earlier or later our quality of sleep and thus how deeply we sleep as well.

Experts have determined that this can vary between adults and children. It is believed that adults who go to bed later are more intelligent, but the reverse is true for children.

In addition to the time of night that you go to bed, going to bed with regularity is important too. Going to sleep early and  at the same time  every night can promote children’s cognitive development. According to research, this can also improve children’s emotional and physical well-being.

We have always heard that children grow while they sleep. Well, this growth is not only symbolic, and in fact children grow in many ways. For example, establishing a daily routine promotes discipline and the development of good habits.

In this same way, getting enough rest allows children to concentrate on relaxation and allows their energy to be used in improving other processes.

A Good Rest Starts With Going to Bed One Hour Earlier

According to a study conducted by Auburn University, children should consistently go to sleep at least one hour earlier than they are used to. The research observed that this schedule should be followed even if it means it is still light out when the child goes to bed. The most important thing is consistency, so there is no need to wait until it gets dark outside if it is already bedtime.

The more irregular a child’s sleep schedule, the more prone they are to experiencing negative effects. The consequences of this habit can affect the child intellectually, emotionally and physically. The study suggests that the healthiest time for children to go to bed is between 6pm and 9pm.

In order to reach these results, the researchers analyzed the school records of children between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. This group went to sleep one hour earlier than normal. The children demonstrated better emotional balance and greater mental alertness during class time.

The study also determined that infants under 18 months old who go to sleep one hour earlier, develop more fully. This development was shown in their motor function and their language acquisition, as well as their relationships with people.

How Does a Good Rest Promote Intelligence?

There are countless benefits of sleeping and being well-rested for children, just as there are for adults. The younger the child, the earlier they should go to sleep. During a period of rest they are developing and exercising their memory, so the more time they have to do that, the better.

For adults, sleep functions are a process of disengagement when their memory is not active. Children, on the other hand, activate this critical process during sleep in order to develop this function. Memory is a vital element in the intellectual growth of children, and is one of the processes most benefited by sleep.

The benefits of sleep are undeniable. This is why it is vital for children to be able to sleep regularly, deeply and for prolonged periods. Once this becomes a habit, they will go to bed more easily. When they reach adulthood they can decide for themselves how to approach this matter. But for now, it is up to the adults to seek what is best for their children.

Perhaps for this reason, many mothers are thinking about building better habits for their children. Of course, it is always best to consult with a pediatrician about how much sleep your child really needs.

In any case, the main thing to be aware of are individual needs. At the same time, it is important that each adjustment that we attempt to make be made gradually, without pressure and with love. Healthy habits are sometimes the most difficult to acquire, but it is always important to build them from childhood.