Irregular bedtimes ‘can hold back children’s IQ’

Scientists say going to bed later does not harm children’s IQ, as long as it is part of a routine
Scientists say going to bed later does not harm children’s IQ, as long as it is part of a routine
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There can be few parents who have not endured the hair-tearing frustration of trying to put to sleep a child who just will not accept that it is bedtime. But buckling in the face of the tantrums could come at a cost: children with the most irregular bedtimes scored seven or eight points lower on IQ tests than those with the most regular, a study has found.

There is, however, an upside: scientists say that going to bed later does not harm children’s IQ, as long as it is part of a settled routine. They believe that a well-set body clock is crucial in making sure that children’s brains are prepared to digest what they are learning.

Researchers at University College London looked at data