In the realm of education, the connection between sleep and academic performance has long been acknowledged. However, recent research, ‘Timing story time to maximize children’s ability to retain new vocabulary,’*1 has shed light on a fascinating and intricate correlation between sleep deprivation and language acquisition in children, particularly those with speech and language difficulties.

As educators, understanding this link and the impact of sleep on language development is imperative for providing effective support to youngsters and their families.

Sleep deprivation and language acquisition

Numerous studies have underscored the significance of quality sleep in facilitating various aspects of cognitive development, including language acquisition such as ‘Sleepdependent consolidation in children with comprehension and vocabulary weaknesses: it’ll be alright on the night?’*2. Children experiencing sleep deprivation may exhibit challenges in speech and language skills, creating additional hurdles in their academic journey.

Bedtime stories: a gateway to language enrichment

One intriguing aspect of the sleep-language connection is the role bedtime stories play in vocabulary retention. Research suggests that children are more likely to retain new words when exposed to them before bedtime*1. Bedtime stories, with their rhythmic cadence and engaging narratives, provide a conducive environment for language assimilation during the crucial presleep period.

Importance of bedtime stories in routines

Incorporating bedtime stories into nightly routines can have far-reaching benefits for children, which includes reading and a sense of stability and comfort for the child according to The Sleep Charity. This predictability can be particularly reassuring for children with speech and language difficulties, as it fosters a positive association with language and learning.

Encouraging families to establish bedtime stories

Here are some practical tips to achieve this:

  • Provide resources: offer families a curated list of age-appropriate books that align with their child’s interests
  • Host family reading events: organise school-wide or classspecific family reading events to emphasise the collective importance of bedtime stories
  • Model reading behaviour: share personal experiences of reading with students and parents and discuss the positive impact bedtime stories can have on language development

Increasing vocabulary through quality sleep

Research consistently highlights the role of sleep in consolidating new information, including vocabulary as shown in ‘Goodnight book: sleep consolidation improves word learning via storybooks’*3 which shows children who get adequate and quality sleep are better equipped to recall and integrate new words into their linguistic repertoire.

Practical strategies for teachers and SENDCos

  • Educate parents and caregivers about the critical role sleep plays in language acquisition
  • Recognise that children with speech and language difficulties may face challenges during traditional class hours
  • Maintain open lines of communication with parents regarding their child’s sleep patterns. Collaborate on strategies to improve sleep quality, emphasising the positive impact it can have on language development

I’ve often seen tiredness affect therapy sessions, especially after lunch or later in the week and as the school term goes on. Students take longer to respond, struggle with recall and find wordy tasks much harder.
Short, snappy activities are the best when students are tired, with frequent movement breaks in between. I’ve often offered
a selection of games that they really like and let them choose. We usually go over things they’ve almost mastered and don’t start anything too hard.

Yin Collighan, specialist speech and language therapist at Speech & Language Link

Conclusion

Understanding the intricate link between sleep deprivation and language acquisition is paramount for educators in fostering the academic success of children, particularly those facing speech and language difficulties. As advocates for the holistic development of every child, teachers and SENDcos can empower families to establish bedtime routines that contribute not only to a good night’s sleep but also to the lifelong gift of language.

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1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022096521001259?via%3Dihub
2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32367542/ It’ll be alright on the night | Emma James (emma-james.co.uk)
3 Goodnight book: sleep consolidation improves word learning via storybooks Sophie E. Williams Jessica S. Horst* https://www.frontiersin. org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00184/full

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