Nap boosts learning
The key to learning in early life is a length nap, scientists say trials with 216 babies up to 12 months old indicated they were unable to remember new tasks if they did not have a lengthy sleep soon afterwards. The team suggested the best time to learn may be just before sleep and emphasised the important in early years than at other ages , People spend more of their time asleep as babies than at any other point in their lives.
Yet the researcher's, say ''strikingly little is known'' about the role of sleep in the first year of life. ''Sleeping like a baby'' was vital for learnng, Dr Jane Herbert said; ''Those who sleep after learning learn well those not sleeping don't learn at all.'' She said she had been assumed that ''wide-awake was best'' for learning, but instead it may be the events just before sleep that are most important.
Yet the researcher's, say ''strikingly little is known'' about the role of sleep in the first year of life. ''Sleeping like a baby'' was vital for learnng, Dr Jane Herbert said; ''Those who sleep after learning learn well those not sleeping don't learn at all.'' She said she had been assumed that ''wide-awake was best'' for learning, but instead it may be the events just before sleep that are most important.