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Mandatory naptime in childcare settings is associated with increased napping but may reduce nighttime sleep and total daily sleep duration in young children.

A systematic review of 6 studies found that mandatory naptime (tested in 4 studies) was associated with increased napping. One study reported that mandatory naptime was associated with reduced nighttime sleep and total daily sleep duration. Music and massage therapy (each tested in 1 study) were associated with reduced nap latency.

Last updated: Aug 20, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score47/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Efficacy of sleep promotion strategies in childcare settings and sleep outcomes in young children: a systematic review.

meta

O'Hagan B, Chmielewski S, Deokule N, Josephson A, Von Ash T · Frontiers in sleep (2026)

Participants: 6
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Mandatory naptime in childcare settings
Outcome: Napping duration, nighttime sleep duration, total daily sleep duration, nap latency
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Young children under 5 years old in childcare settings

Result: A systematic review of 6 studies found that mandatory naptime (tested in 4 studies) was associated with increased napping. One study reported that mandatory naptime was associated with reduced nighttime sleep and total daily sleep duration. Music and massage therapy (each tested in 1 study) were associated with reduced nap latency.

PubMed: 42558381DOI: 10.3389/frsle.2026.1818620

Mechanism Graph

Mandatory naptime is implemented in childcare settings
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Children are required to nap at scheduled times
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This increases the opportunity and likelihood of napping
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Increased napping may reduce the need for nighttime sleep, leading to shorter nighttime sleep and total daily sleep

Limitations

  • ⚠Only 6 studies met eligibility criteria, indicating a paucity of research
  • ⚠Most studies focused on mandatory naptime, with limited evidence on other strategies like music and massage
  • ⚠The review did not report effect sizes or meta-analytic results, limiting quantitative synthesis

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mandatory naptime improve overall sleep in young children?▼

Mandatory naptime increases napping but may reduce nighttime sleep and total daily sleep, so overall sleep benefits are unclear.

What sleep promotion strategies were studied in childcare?▼

The review identified mandatory naptime, music, and massage therapy as the strategies tested.

How many studies were included in this systematic review?▼

Six studies met the eligibility criteria.

What is the research gap highlighted by this review?▼

There is limited research on sleep promotion strategies other than mandatory naptime, such as sleep environment and provider behaviors.

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References

  1. 1.O'Hagan B, Chmielewski S, Deokule N, Josephson A, Von Ash T. "Efficacy of sleep promotion strategies in childcare settings and sleep outcomes in young children: a systematic review.." Frontiers in sleep, 2026. PMID: 42558381 DOI: 10.3389/frsle.2026.1818620
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.