For generations mums have been told that sleep is important for babies because it involves actively consolidating memories. Now a team at the Department of Neurology in Massachusetts have undertaken a study to look at learning and sleep.
We all know that memories evolve. After learning something new, the brain initiates a complex set of post-learning processing that facilitates recall (i.e., consolidation). Evidence points to sleep as one of the determinants of that change.
Previously whenever a behavioral study of episodic memory shows a benefit of sleep, critics asserted that sleep only leads to a temporary shelter from the damaging effects of interference that would otherwise accrue during wakefulness.
To evaluate the potentially active role of sleep for verbal memory, this study, by Ellenbogen, Hulbert, Jiang, and Stickgold, compared memory recall after sleep, with and without interference before testing.
They have demonstrated that recall performance for verbal memory was greater after sleep than wakefulness. When when using interference testing, that difference was even more pronounced.
By introducing interference after sleep, this study confirms the active role of sleep in consolidating memory.
This is yet another reason why we should encourage good sleep habits in our children. They are learning on a daily basis and a good sleep/wake pattern can only enhance that learning experience and help them to be "all that they can be".
We all know that memories evolve. After learning something new, the brain initiates a complex set of post-learning processing that facilitates recall (i.e., consolidation). Evidence points to sleep as one of the determinants of that change.
Previously whenever a behavioral study of episodic memory shows a benefit of sleep, critics asserted that sleep only leads to a temporary shelter from the damaging effects of interference that would otherwise accrue during wakefulness.
To evaluate the potentially active role of sleep for verbal memory, this study, by Ellenbogen, Hulbert, Jiang, and Stickgold, compared memory recall after sleep, with and without interference before testing.
They have demonstrated that recall performance for verbal memory was greater after sleep than wakefulness. When when using interference testing, that difference was even more pronounced.
By introducing interference after sleep, this study confirms the active role of sleep in consolidating memory.
This is yet another reason why we should encourage good sleep habits in our children. They are learning on a daily basis and a good sleep/wake pattern can only enhance that learning experience and help them to be "all that they can be".
If you need help to improve your child's sleep pattern, contact Dream-Angus.com
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