Quality sleep is essential for a child's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. During sleep the body and mind rest and recover from each day’s physical and mental stresses. The brain continues to develop during sleep, as it works through conflict and commits skills and information to memory.
Unfortunately, not all children get quality sleep each night for various reasons from inconsistent sleep schedules to medical conditions like sleep apnea. Sleep issues can sometimes be linked to breathing patterns, airway health, and oral function, not just bedtime habits.
Myofunctional therapy can often improve breathing, helping children get more restful sleep. Recognizing the signs early can help children succeed at home and in school.
Why Sleep Plays a Critical Role in Childhood Development
During sleep the brain processes learning and memory. The skills and information gained during the waking hours are further reinforced as the mind and body move through the stages from light sleep to deep sleep and REM. Restful sleep is essential for emotional regulation, cognitive development, and healthy growth. Even mild sleep disruptions can impact daily functioning, resulting in negative behaviors and learning deficiencies.
Signs Poor Sleep May Be Affecting Your Child's Behavior
It is not always easy to tell if your child is lacking quality sleep. There are many factors that can affect behavior, and not all are sleep related.
Your child may exhibit the following if they are not getting enough rest:
- Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
- Hyperactivity, irritability, or emotional outbursts
- Daytime fatigue despite getting enough hours in bed
- Trouble following directions or completing schoolwork
- Frequent snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep
The Link Between Airway Health, Mouth Breathing, and Sleep Quality
You may think your child is getting plenty of sleep, but the problem is often the quality of their sleep rather than the number of hours. The time spent sleeping should be divided among the following stages: light sleep, deepening sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. Ideally, children should progress through the stages of sleep in that order to achieve optimal sleep quality.
Airway restrictions and mouth breathing may interfere with restorative sleep. If the sleep cycle gets interrupted and the child is not able to spend the appropriate amount of time in each of the sleep stages, they may still be tired and not fully rested in the morning.
Proper tongue posture and oral muscle function is necessary for normal breathing while sleeping. If the tongue slides back and the throat tissues relax, the airway may become partially or fully obstructed, resulting in sleep apnea. Snoring is a sign of a partially obstructed airway, caused by vibrations of the oral tissues as air passes over them. The airway may become completely blocked, stopping the child’s breathing for seconds at a time until they awaken and change positions. Snoring and frequent wakening due to airway issues can prevent children from reaching the deeper stages of sleep that are necessary for adequate rest.
How Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Can Help
Orofacial myofunctional therapy retrains the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw using a series of exercises. It can be used to improve breathing, swallowing, and speech for patients of all ages.
For children with airway issues that may be affecting sleep, orofacial myofunctional therapy can address tongue posture and jaw movement to correct breathing. It can help children to learn to breathe through their nose instead of their mouth, which improves sleep and promotes healthy growth and development of the jaw.
Marvel Myo and Speech provides virtual therapy for busy families and those without a nearby provider. Through a collaborative, individualized approach to pediatric care we work closely with pediatricians and other medical specialists to help children achieve optimal health and wellness.
Supporting Better Sleep for Better Learning
Myofunctional therapy consists of guided virtual sessions and exercises parents can encourage at home to help children develop proper breathing posture. Wakeful breathing improvements transfer to sleep to help children achieve deeper, more restful sleep. Myofunctional therapy addresses the underlying causes of sleep and airway issues instead of only managing symptoms. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Sleep & Airway Health
Can poor sleep really affect my child's performance in school?
Disrupted sleep can impact attention, memory, learning, and emotional regulation. A professional evaluation can help to determine if sleep disordered breathing is the cause of these issues.
Is snoring normal for children?
Occasional snoring may not be a concern, as long as there are no related symptoms. However, persistent snoring accompanied by signs of poor sleep quality should be evaluated.
What is the connection between mouth breathing and sleep problems?
Mouth breathing may contribute to disrupted sleep and reduced oxygen efficiency, which can prevent proper brain development and affect behaviors while awake.
How can I tell if my child has a sleep-related breathing issue?
Some common signs include loud snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, frequent waking, teeth grinding, and daytime fatigue. If your child regularly experiences these symptoms, an evaluation may help identify whether airway or oral muscle function is contributing to poor sleep.
At what age can a child benefit from orofacial myofunctional therapy?
The appropriate age depends on your child's individual needs and developmental stage. After a comprehensive evaluation, a qualified provider can determine whether orofacial myofunctional therapy may help improve breathing patterns, oral muscle function, and healthy sleep habits.
At MarvelMyo & Speech, we are passionate about helping children and families thrive through personalized virtual speech therapy, orofacial myofunctional therapy, feeding therapy, and sleep and airway health services. Our evidence-based approach focuses on addressing the underlying causes of oral function and communication challenges so every child can reach their full potential. We are committed to providing compassionate, convenient care that supports healthier breathing, better sleep, and improved quality of life. Contact us today to learn how we can help your family.
