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A new study from researchers at Penn State has revealed that children who follow a consistent bedtime routine may exhibit better emotional control and behavioral regulation, even under stress or when interacting with others. The research, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics on November 8, suggests that the timing of a child’s bedtime plays a more significant role in their emotional and behavioral development than the quality or duration of sleep.
Led by doctoral student Adwoa Dadzie and Orfeu Buxton, the Elizabeth Fenton Susman Professor of Biobehavioral Health, the study analyzed data from 143 six-year-old children enrolled in the Penn State Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) study. The research builds on previous findings from the study, which suggested that responsive parenting — characterized by a warm, timely, and consistent response to a child’s needs — can improve sleep habits and promote healthier behavior.
Dadzie noted that children with regular bedtimes demonstrated better emotional regulation, particularly when faced with frustration or working cooperatively with others. “Children who had consistent bedtimes were generally able to regulate their behavior and emotions,” she explained, adding that children whose sleep schedules varied widely were more prone to impulsivity and poor emotional control.
To collect data, the children wore wrist monitors for seven days, tracking their sleep times and activity. The researchers also assessed the children’s ability to regulate their behavior in two situations: one in which they were frustrated by an unreachable toy locked in a box, and another in which they decorated a picture frame with their parents. The results revealed a clear connection between sleep regularity and positive behavior, with children whose bedtimes varied significantly displaying more challenges in emotional and behavioral regulation.
This study highlights the importance of sleep consistency in the early years, suggesting that even small variations in bedtime — such as a difference of two hours over the course of a week — can impact a child’s ability to regulate emotions and behavior. “It’s amazing,” said Buxton. “Parenting matters. When parents establish clear structures and respond to their child’s needs appropriately, children have better outcomes in weight regulation and behavior — even years later.”
The findings also emphasize the role of responsive parenting, a key focus of the INSIGHT study, which trained parents in how to respond to their child’s needs, including when to feed, interact, and allow for rest. In fact, children in the responsive parenting group had lower body mass indices (BMIs) and better emotional regulation compared to those in the control group, who received only general child safety information.
While some parents may struggle to maintain a consistent bedtime due to work schedules or other challenges, Buxton stressed that all parents can establish clear, consistent routines and respond promptly to their children’s needs. “Every parent can establish clear standards and routines for their children,” he said. “We now have eight years of research showing that when parents are responsive to their children, they raise healthier children.”
The study, which received support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and other research organizations, further underscores the importance of early parenting interventions for fostering healthier children.
