Sleep is a very important part of life, as it ensures that the body is renewed and thus enables human existence. Especially in children, it is important to give them rest, which is needed for healthy development and growth. Quantity of sleep that we need depends on each person; however, it also varies with age. The rhythm of sleep and wakefulness in infants exchanges on a few hours. Those periods are getting longer with age, however, it depends on individual child, when he/she will cancel sleeping during the day and sleep at night only.
In the past, sleeping in kindergarten was mandatory for all children and the time for rest was very strictly specified. The Curriculum for kindergartens (1999) suggests the rest time in kindergarten should be based on child's individual needs and wishes. Recent researches in this area show that the children, even those who no longer need the sleep during the day, in most kindergartens, still have to lie on the carry-cots at least for some of the time during the rest.
In a study, which I made with children from oldest departments of kindergarten, first grade pupils and parents, I was interested in how the rest in kindergarten is organized today, and how this part of the daily routine is viewed by children and their parents. I found that both, children in kindergartens as well as first grade pupils do not like the fact that they must lie on carry-cots, even if not falling asleep, and that, instead, they want more games. Most parents surveyed were satisfied with the organization of rest in kindergarten, despite the fact that their children do not always sleep. The results of the research have shown that this area still needs improvement to adjust the rest time to children's needs.
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