Parents wildly overestimate how much their children actually sleep, study finds
A new study from Brown University reveals that most parents overestimate how much sleep their young children actually get. Researchers found a significant gap between reported and real sleep patterns, particularly among Latino families. Only a small fraction of children met national sleep recommendations, despite parents' confidence in their routines.
The study tracked 102 elementary school-aged children and compared parent reports with objective sleep data. On average, children were awake for over 38 minutes each night, yet parents estimated less than five minutes of wakefulness. This mismatch was consistent across households, but differences emerged between ethnic groups.
Latino children slept slightly less than their non-Latino peers, averaging just over eight hours compared to over 8.5 hours for others. Only 4.4% of Latino children met sleep guidelines, while 22.8% of non-Latino children did. Latino caregivers were also more likely to express concerns about their child's sleep, whereas non-Latino parents often downplayed potential issues.
Overall, just 14% of the children studied met national sleep standards. Despite this, 83% of parents believed their child was getting enough rest, highlighting a widespread misperception about sleep duration.
The findings suggest parents may not fully recognise their children's sleep deficits. Latino children, in particular, appear to face greater challenges in meeting sleep recommendations. Researchers emphasise the need for better awareness and support to improve children's sleep health.
