Text: Andjela Markovic, Translation: Yaëlle Dietter
In our study conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown, we discovered exciting dynamics in the sleep patterns of children. In this international study, the sleep of 452 babies and 412 preschool-aged children was evaluated by parents using an online questionnaire.
Although parents reported an acute deterioration in their children’s sleep during the early weeks of the lockdown, in April 2020, the children seem to have quickly adapted to the new circumstances. In fact, parents observed an improvement as early as May 2020.
Aside from the negative influence of parental stress levels and quarantine on children’s sleep, we also found several protective factors. Overall, children who slept better were those who had siblings or pets and whose parents practiced mindfulness techniques or spent more time at home and caring for their children.
We summarized the interaction of these different factors in an infographic. We are pleased that this representation won first prize in the Sleep Research Society’s infographic contest.
Source:
Markovic, A., Mühlematter, C., Beaugrand, M., Camos, V., Kurth, S. (2021). Severe effects of the COVID-19 confinement on young children’s sleep: A longitudinal study identifying risk and protective factors. Journal of Sleep Research, 30(5), e13314. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13314
Photo:
Kelly Sikkema, unsplash