Lack of sleep led to tantrums in children

Young children who woke up more often during the night due to the lockdown had significantly lower inhibitory self-control six months later, according to a study from the University of Freiburg recently published in the journal “Plos One”. “This is reflected, for example, in children being more restless or nervous,” explains Salome Kurth, who led the study. Emotional control was also reduced in relation to previously poorer sleep. For example, the children had more explosive tantrums.

Emotional processing disrupted
The researchers suspect the reason for this is that the emotional processing circuits in children’s brains mature during sleep. Sleep disorders in sensitive developmental stages can influence this. A total of 45 children between the ages of three and six were examined and their parents interviewed. In a study published in spring 2021, the research team showed that the lockdown had a drastic negative effect on the sleep quality of small children and babies. Parental stress in particular caused children to wake up more often during the night.

Restful sleep is important
The new study confirms the assumption that it is crucial to preserve the sleep behavior of preschoolers in difficult circumstances, according to a statement from the University of Freiburg on Tuesday. “These ways to protect children’s sleep exist,” Kurth stressed. Mindfulness exercises or exercise, for example, lead to better sleeping conditions in small children. In addition, the sleep of children with siblings or pets is less affected by situations such as a lockdown.