As a parent, we all know that getting your child to sleep can be a challenge. From the last minute bathroom breaks to the requests for just one more bedtime story, kids are known to fight off sleep, whether it be before a nap or your nightly bedtime ritual. The very rest we crave as adults, kids often see as a restraint on the excitement of life. (Oh, to be young again 😉)

But, why is sleep so important for a child's development? Well, kids' brains are actively developing as they grow, and sleep plays a major role in fostering their physical, emotional and social growth. That's why it's so important to maintain your child's bedtime routine, whether school's in session or the kids are on summer break.

Why Kids Need a Good Night's Sleep

Don't take it from us! Dr. Sujay Kansagra, Mattress Firm's sleep health expert and the director of Duke University's Pediatric Sleep Neurology Program, is here to clear the air when it comes to kids and sleep: