Paediatrics Publications
Title
Behavioral sleep problems and their potential impact on developing executive function in children
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2013
Journal
Sleep
Volume
36
Issue
7
First Page
1077
Last Page
1084
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.5665/sleep.2814
Abstract
Bedtime resistance and night waking are common sleep problems throughout childhood, especially in the early years. These sleep problems may lead to difficulties in neurobehavioral functioning, but most research into childhood sleep problems has not emphasized the importance of the developmental context in which disruptions in neurobehavioral and daytime functioning occur. We review the development of sleep as well as executive functioning (EF) in childhood and suggest that EF may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of these common childhood sleep problems because of its prolonged course of maturation. Behavioral problems associated with common sleep problems suggest poor self-regulation in the context of sleep loss, and developing EF skills play important roles in self-regulation. A research agenda that considers a developmental approach to sleep and sleep problems in the context of childhood EF performance is outlined to promote future research in this area.