Patna: Children who go to bed late risk impaired brain growth, weakened memory and increased irritability, according to parenting experts who stress the importance of early sleep routines.
Shweta, a parenting specialist, said that sleep is not only restorative but plays a critical role in children’s mental development, learning and overall health. “The healthiest routine for children is between 9pm and 7am,” she said. “This allows both mind and body to fully recover for the next day.”
She explained that when children fall asleep around 9pm, natural sleep hormones are released, improving sleep quality and enabling the brain to consolidate memories from the day. This process helps sharpen focus and boost learning, whether in school, sports or other activities.
However, delaying bedtime to 10pm or later disrupts this process. Growth hormones, which are essential for brain and body development, are less effectively activated, Shweta said. “The result is reduced learning ability, weaker memory processing and a tendency towards irritability.”
The risks intensify when children sleep after 11pm. At that point, she said, “the brain becomes tired and disorganised.” Normally, during sleep the brain filters and stores essential information, but insufficient or delayed sleep hampers this function, affecting concentration, emotional stability and cognitive development.
Sleeping past midnight can be especially harmful. Experts warn that children who stay up this late rarely achieve sufficient rest, leaving them lethargic, disinterested in studies and prone to mood swings. Habitual late sleep may even increase the risk of early puberty, which could affect long-term development.
Shweta emphasised that healthy sleep habits should start with parents. “If parents adopt a consistent schedule of early sleep and waking, children will mirror that behaviour,” she said. “A 9-to-7 sleep cycle not only supports growth but also balances mood, academics and health. Making timely sleep a part of daily life is crucial for a child’s wellbeing.”
