Humans spend approximately 26 years of their lives sleeping. This accounts for about one-third of their total lifespan. Newborn babies, in particular, sleep an average of 12 to 18 hours a day. The early years of a newborn’s life are marked by rapid brain development. At birth, a newborn’s brain is packed with roughly 100 billion neurons, or nerve cells which is more than it will have as an adult. However, these nerve cells alone do not define intelligence or capability. The real magic happens in the connections between them as different nerve cells begin to communicate with each other and form connections at an astonishing rate during this period.The neural connections are a complex network of interconnected nerve cells that allow the brain to perform various functions such as communication, information processing and regulating bodily functions.A nerve cell or a neuron alone cannot perform these complex tasks as a result it forms various connections with other nerve cells at specific junctions called synapses. These synaptic junctions allow the passage of information from one neuron to another and finally to the target site. When many such synaptic junctions begin to develop during the early developmental years of a child, these give rise to neural connections.However, if there is a lack of sleep, then the process of synaptic pruning will be affected which is required to eliminate unnecessary nerve connections and, as a result, it leads to mental health issues, neurodevelopmental disorders and difficulties in learning and communication.Also read: So How Does One Stop Climate Change?In the initial developing years, when a newborn’s brain is most malleable, the interactions and stimuli that the infant receives – whether from parents, play, or the environment – are critical for his/her brain development. During this period, the brain undergoes a crucial process known as synaptic pruning. It is a process of strengthening the important nerve cell connections while eliminating the unnecessary and extra nerve cells or their connections. Synaptic pruning can be considered as a kind of gardening for the brain. Just as a gardener removes weeds to help plants thrive, the brain trims away unwanted nerve cell connections, strengthening the ones that are essential.For a child’s brain to grow and work well, there needs to be a good balance between sleep and regular physical activity. If a child does not get proper sleep or doesn’t stay active, it can affect how the brain develops. This can disturb the brain’s natural process of removing unused and unwanted nerve cell connections, leading to an imbalance between the signals that make brain cells more active and those that calm them down. This balance is important for the brain to work properly and process information clearly.Some pruning is known to begin during pregnancy, while most of the rapid pruning happens between the ages of three-16.The synaptic pruning is significantly influenced by a child’s experiences, interactions, and environment. While there is no doubt that sleep is critical for the growth and cognitive function of the infant, an overemphasis on putting infants to sleep – especially at the cost of play and exploration – may hinder the full potential of their brain development. In a recent study, it was reported that excessive daytime sleep during infancy resulted in poor working memory at school age. During the first few years of a child, the brain forms more than a million new nerve cell connections per second. That is a period of rapid learning about the environment. Sensory experiences, social interactions, and motor activities shape these connections. Playing and engaging in physical activities, in particular, is instrumental in developing the child’s mental, emotional, and social skills. With such engagement, the brain responds by strengthening brain pathways that are associated with tasks such as problem-solving, coordination and emotional regulation.On the contrary, a lack of such stimulating interactions can significantly hinder and slow down the mental development of a child. When synaptic pruning does not occur during an infant’s developing years, several disorders may come to light. Fragile X syndrome is the most common genetic disorder that results from a lack of brain development and causes severe cognitive delays in the child.If a child is frequently soothed into sleep instead of being encouraged to play or explore, his sensory learning and social bonding skills will be greatly affected. Although sleep is critical for memory consolidation and brain repair, an imbalance between sleep and playful activities may affect the normal trajectory of brain maturation. If a child doesn’t get proper sleep or doesn’t stay active, it can affect how the brain develops. This can disturb the brain’s natural process of removing unused and unwanted nerve cell connections, leading to an imbalance between the signals that make brain cells more active and those that calm them down. This balance is important for the brain to work properly and process information clearly.Research shows that interactive play helps in the development of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and social behaviour. Simple activities such as playing with toys, responding to music and sounds, observing colours and interacting with parents, all stimulate the brain pathways. One study published in the journal Brain Structure and Function reported the effect of parent-child interaction on the development of the infant brain. They showed that lower maternal sensitivity and interaction with the infant resulted in a smaller subcortical grey matter volume which is associated with movement, memory and emotions. Cultural practices also shape early brain development. In many Western households, for example, children often grow up alongside dogs or cats that serve as play companions, providing continuous interaction even when parents are occupied. This type of engagement helps in shaping and supporting the motor and mental abilities of the child.Also read: Is My Brain to Blame for My Behaviour?Whereas, in some households, particularly in India, the parents often tend to ensure that their babies sleep frequently so that they may attend to other responsibilities as well. They might do so by resorting to myths or fear-based tactics which encourage sleep, such as telling children the famous line from a movie, “Go to sleep, or else Gabbar will come,” referring to a frightening fictional character. Such methods may be effective in putting a child to sleep but they do little to enhance their mental stimulation and moreover, they may inadvertently instil unnecessary fears in the child.Instead of putting a child to sleep every time he/she becomes restless, the parents should adopt a more balanced approach to nurturing the positive brain development of the child. They should tend to create a safe, secure and enriched environment for their child where they have access to toys and safe physical movement. The parents should pay attention and respond lovingly and consistently to the child’s cries. They could also talk to their children and read out books to them because hearing the parents helps the child to develop language connections. They should help and encourage the infant’s movement and respond to their curiosity to significantly enhance their cognitive growth.The early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability. While adequate sleep is extremely important for the child, it should not come at the cost of exploration and engagement which can hinder their cognitive and social development and possibly result in several mental deformities. Parents should prioritise a nurturing environment for their children where curiosity, interaction and exploration are encouraged. By fostering a balance between sleep and active engagement, parents can help children reach their full developmental potential, ensuring a strong foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability.Satyarth Pandita is a Junior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans), Bengaluru.
