Sleeping patterns of children and adolescents - Developmental trends, disruptions, and adaptations

This article focuses on the development of sleep/wake patterns and sleep architecture from infancy through adolescence. It also examines consequential developmental changes and environmental variables that disrupt and influence the formation of sleep/ wake schedules, sleep behaviors, and sleepiness for each age group. During the infant, toddler, and preschool years, parent-child interactions and situational factors, such as bedtime routines, sleeping arrangements, and soothing styles, affect sleep. Similarly, school schedules, hours spent in extracurricular activities, and the onset of puberty shift and modify the relationship between sleep and wake time for the school-aged child and adolescent.