The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data
Background/Objectives: Previous research suggests that sleep quality and duration may significantly impact sensory experiences, yet the specific relationships in healthy early childhood remain unclear. This study explores the relationship between sleep parameters and sensory processing outcomes in t...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| author | Sophie Bellemare Gabriela López-Arango Florence Deguire Inga S. Knoth Sarah Lippé |
| author_facet | Sophie Bellemare Gabriela López-Arango Florence Deguire Inga S. Knoth Sarah Lippé |
| author_sort | Sophie Bellemare |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Previous research suggests that sleep quality and duration may significantly impact sensory experiences, yet the specific relationships in healthy early childhood remain unclear. This study explores the relationship between sleep parameters and sensory processing outcomes in typically developing children followed longitudinally from 3 to 12 months to 4 years of age. Methods: We assessed sleep problems, sleep duration, sleep onset latency, parasomnias, and sensory processing in a sample of typically developing children (N = 85). Sleep parameters were reported by parents, and sensory processing was evaluated using the Sensory Processing Measure—Parent version (SPM-P). Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses examined predictors of sensory outcomes based on sleep patterns at 3–12 months, 18 months, 2 years, and 4 years of age. Results: Our findings indicate that greater sleep problems correlate with heightened sensory sensitivity across modalities, including touch and vision, as well as higher-order cognitive functions such as planning and social interactions. Specifically, sleep problems at 18 months were significant predictors of sensory processing at 4 years, while sleep duration at 2 years predicted planning skills. Additionally, longer sleep duration during infancy (3–12 months) positively influenced social participation at 4 years. Conclusions: This study underscores the critical role of sleep in shaping sensory processing outcomes in early childhood. Promoting healthy sleep habits may mitigate sensory processing difficulties, ultimately supporting emotional and social development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-23cbb2ce2bc34496b2ffde59a87d75b8 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-23cbb2ce2bc34496b2ffde59a87d75b82025-08-20T02:44:31ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-01-0112215310.3390/children12020153The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal DataSophie Bellemare0Gabriela López-Arango1Florence Deguire2Inga S. Knoth3Sarah Lippé4Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Marie-Victorin Building, 90 Vincent-D’Indy Avenue, Montreal, QC H2V 2S9, CanadaCHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montreal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, University of Montreal, Marie-Victorin Building, 90 Vincent-D’Indy Avenue, Montreal, QC H2V 2S9, CanadaCHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montreal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, University of Montreal, Marie-Victorin Building, 90 Vincent-D’Indy Avenue, Montreal, QC H2V 2S9, CanadaBackground/Objectives: Previous research suggests that sleep quality and duration may significantly impact sensory experiences, yet the specific relationships in healthy early childhood remain unclear. This study explores the relationship between sleep parameters and sensory processing outcomes in typically developing children followed longitudinally from 3 to 12 months to 4 years of age. Methods: We assessed sleep problems, sleep duration, sleep onset latency, parasomnias, and sensory processing in a sample of typically developing children (N = 85). Sleep parameters were reported by parents, and sensory processing was evaluated using the Sensory Processing Measure—Parent version (SPM-P). Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses examined predictors of sensory outcomes based on sleep patterns at 3–12 months, 18 months, 2 years, and 4 years of age. Results: Our findings indicate that greater sleep problems correlate with heightened sensory sensitivity across modalities, including touch and vision, as well as higher-order cognitive functions such as planning and social interactions. Specifically, sleep problems at 18 months were significant predictors of sensory processing at 4 years, while sleep duration at 2 years predicted planning skills. Additionally, longer sleep duration during infancy (3–12 months) positively influenced social participation at 4 years. Conclusions: This study underscores the critical role of sleep in shaping sensory processing outcomes in early childhood. Promoting healthy sleep habits may mitigate sensory processing difficulties, ultimately supporting emotional and social development.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/2/153childrensensory processingsleepchild development |
| spellingShingle | Sophie Bellemare Gabriela López-Arango Florence Deguire Inga S. Knoth Sarah Lippé The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data Children children sensory processing sleep child development |
| title | The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data |
| title_full | The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data |
| title_short | The Impact of Sleep on Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data |
| title_sort | impact of sleep on sensory processing in typically developing children insights from cross sectional and longitudinal data |
| topic | children sensory processing sleep child development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/2/153 |
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