Where Did Nap Time Go? Why Older Kids Do Not Nap at School

Abstract

Getting enough sleep is important not only for our health but also for learning. If sleep is good for us, why do children stop napping as they get older? Why do some children stop napping around their second birthday while others nap much longer? To answer these questions, scientists reviewed studies on how sleep, the brain, and memory develop. They took information from each area to create a new theory about why and when children stop napping. The scientists suggested a specific “memory area” in the brain, known as the hippocampus, develops as children grow up. Once the hippocampus can store the day’s memories, it results in fewer “napping” signals sent to the body, causing fewer naps. Information about how and why children stop napping is important for parents and teachers so they can best support children’s sleep needs.