The Vital Connection Between Sleep and Active Play in Children's Development - Episode 3
The importance of sleep and active play in children’s lives cannot be overstated. In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Emily talks with Dr. Sujay Kansagra, Pediatric Neurologist and children’s sleep expert at Duke Health, and inventor of the Lullabee, a smart crib mattress. They explore the crucial relationship between sleep, physical activity, and overall child development. Please note: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
The Importance of Sleep
Dr. Kansagra shares why we need to sleep and how it is so important for body and brain restoration, memory consolidation, and our ability to handle our emotions and impulsivity. He goes as far as to say, “If you're not sleeping well It worsens just about every medical or psychiatric condition that you may be experiencing.”
Why is this important when we talk about active play? Because movement and sleep fuel each other. Active play improves sleep quality. Sedentary time disrupts it. And when kids sleep well, they have more energy, better mood regulation, and stronger executive function to move again the next day.
It is a powerful positive cycle. Move more. Sleep better. Repeat.
Connection Between Sleep and ADHD
Dr. Kansagra explains that adequate sleep is crucial for children’s development and that lack of sleep can hinder their ability to engage in active play. Dr. Greenwald adds that many children diagnosed with ADHD may not get enough active play and in addition may be suffering from sleep issues, which, when addressed in tandem, can significantly improve their symptoms [1, 2].
Screens and Sleep: What Should Parents Be Aware of?
Dr. Kansagra highlights three main concerns when it comes to screens and sleep:
Volume of time: If screen time is pushing bedtime later or replacing sleep, that alone becomes a problem.
Stimulation: Some content triggers emotional arousal and dopamine release, activating the brain rather than preparing it for rest. When kids are physiologically alert, sleep becomes much harder to initiate.
Light exposure: Bright light, especially when exposure is prolonged, signals to the brain that it is still daytime. The brain cannot distinguish that the light is coming from a device rather than the sun, so melatonin release is delayed, and sleep timing shifts.
“The more screens you have in your room, the more sleep challenges you have. For children, screen use in the evening hours will be net negative when it comes to sleep.” - Dr. Sujay Kansagra
Dr. Kansagra emphasized that the earlier a child gets a smartphone, the worse their sleep gets [3].
The Active Play Prescription for Good Sleep
Move early and get outside light. Morning activity and natural light reset the body clock and build healthy sleep pressure for the night ahead.
Protect the final 30 minutes. Keep it calm, predictable, and screen-free. No vigorous play. No stimulating content.
Guard the balance. Make sure screens are not crowding out movement or quietly pushing bedtime later.
Resources/References
[2] The role of the circadian system in the etiology and pathophysiology of ADHD: time to redefine ADHD?
[3] Smartphone Ownership, Age of Smartphone Acquisition, and Health Outcomes in Early Adolescence
[4] Lullabee, a smart crib mattress
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Episode Sponsor
This podcast is sponsored by Nex Playground - an active-play gaming system that helps kids move indoors through full-body games that support learning, coordination, and joy!
