Napping child excels

New research from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California reveals that children who nap are happier, excel academically, and have fewer behavioural problems.A study of nearly 3,000 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in China revealed that 30 to 60 minutes of nap at least three days a week had positive outcomes in a handful of areasand showed an increase in academic performance.

The study conducted among children aged 10-12 years also revealed a connection between mid-day napping and higher IQ, the latter particularly for the sixth graders. In places like the United States, napping stops altogether as children get older. In China, however, the practice is embedded into daily life, continuing through elementary and middle school, even into adulthood. The mid-day nap is easily implemented, and it costs nothing, the researchers point out.