I. Hindrances to Physical Development
Growth hormone can be regarded as a “magic wand” for a child’s growth, and it is secreted in large amounts at night, especially during the deep – sleep stage. When a child falls into a sweet slumber, growth hormone starts to work busily, stimulating bone growth and helping the child grow taller. But once a child has poor sleep, the secretion of growth hormone will be seriously disrupted.
Mingming, a child in the neighborhood, used to have poor sleep. He would toss and turn at night, having difficulty falling asleep, and would wake up easily even if he did manage to doze off. After a while, Mingming’s mother noticed that when standing with children of the same age, Mingming was significantly shorter. When they went to the hospital for an examination, the doctor pointed out that the sleep problem had a negative impact on Mingming’s height development. This is by no means an isolated case. Many children with poor sleep face the problem of slow height growth. They should have been thriving, but they fall behind in height due to sleep problems.
Apart from height, poor sleep can also seriously weaken a child’s immune system. Sleep is the “repairer” of the body’s immune system. During sleep, the immune system repairs and strengthens itself, equipping the body with the ability to resist germs. But if a child has poor sleep, the immune system cannot be fully repaired, and the body’s resistance will be greatly reduced.
My colleague’s child is like this. The child has always had an unsteady sleep and catches colds and fevers frequently. Every time the child gets sick, my colleague is exhausted. The doctor has repeatedly reminded my colleague to pay attention to the child’s sleep problem because poor sleep leads to a low immune system, causing the child to get sick frequently. Evidently, poor sleep is like opening the door to the invasion of germs, constantly threatening the child’s health.
II. Impact on Brain Development and Cognitive Development
Sleep plays a crucial role in a child’s brain development and cognitive function. Good sleep is the “nutrient” for brain development. During sleep, the brain sorts, stores, and consolidates the information learned and experienced during the day, just like piecing together fragmented knowledge into a complete jigsaw puzzle.
However, if a child has poor sleep, this important memory – consolidation process will be hindered. For example, if a child learns new Chinese characters or math formulas at school, but due to lack of sleep at night, the brain cannot effectively organize and store this knowledge. The next day, the child may experience a decline in memory, forget new knowledge more quickly, and find it more difficult to learn new things.
Moreover, poor sleep can make it difficult for children to concentrate during the day. In class, while other children are listening attentively, children with insufficient sleep may have distracted eyes and be drowsy, unable to focus on the teacher’s explanation and the content on the blackboard. Over time, the child’s academic performance will surely be affected.
I know a primary – school student who, due to being addicted to electronic products at night, suffered from severe sleep deprivation. In class, he was always unable to concentrate, and often looked blank when the teacher asked questions. Gradually, his academic performance dropped from the upper – middle level to the lower level in the class, and both parents and teachers were very worried. It can be seen that poor sleep has a huge impact on a child’s learning and cognitive development.
III. Hidden Dangers to Emotions and Mental Health
When a child has poor sleep, their emotions will also be greatly affected. They may become restless, moody, and a child who was originally gentle and lovely may fly into a rage over a trifle.
Xiaomei, a friend’s child, was like this. Xiaomei used to be cheerful and likable. But recently, Xiaomei had poor sleep, often waking up and crying in the middle of the night. During the day, her emotions became very unstable. When playing games with her kindergarten classmates, she would get angry and cry at the slightest dissatisfaction. The teacher also repeatedly reported Xiaomei’s emotional problems to her parents.
Long – term poor sleep can also increase the risk of psychological problems in children. During the growth process, children will face various pressures and challenges. Good sleep can help them relieve stress and maintain mental health. But if a child has poor sleep, their psychological resilience will weaken, and they will be unable to effectively cope with these pressures, making them more prone to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.
The harms brought about by poor sleep in children involve multiple aspects such as physical development, brain and cognitive functions, as well as emotional and mental health. Parents must attach great importance to their children’s sleep problems, help their children develop good sleep habits, and safeguard their children’s healthy growth. Only by ensuring that children have sufficient and high – quality sleep can they thrive and embrace a beautiful future.
