The following quote is from the section about: The Volcano Effect: Why Skipping a Nap Results in Meltdown
“…a child who misses naps day after day builds a sleep deprivation that launches her into the volcano stage much easier and quicker. If she is missing naps and also lacking the right quality or quantity of nighttime sleep…watch out! Newborns and young babies have a much shorter span in which their sleep pressure builds. They rapidly reach the peak of their volcano in one to three hours. This is why newborns sleep throughout the day, and why young babies require two or three or four daily naps.
Over time, as a baby’s sleep cycle matures he will be able to go longer periods between sleeps. It is not until age 4 or 5 that a child is able to go happily through the entire day without a nap, and sleep research suggests that even through adulthood a mid-day nap or rest break is extremely beneficial in reducing the pressure in all human beings.”
I don’t remember much about my early childhood but I do remember that my mom made sure I had my naps even when I was in Kindergarten I took a one hour nap after school. Most of the time I fell asleep but if I didn’t, I still had to have a quiet time. I think that’s a great idea and will be implementing it with my kids for sure.
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