Arctic Larks and Owls: Children's Sleeping Patterns North of the Arctic Circle
Author(s): Lisa Sethre-Hofstad, Tove I. Dahl
Abstract: This study investigated children's daily routine preferences during dark and light times of the year north of the Arctic Circle. Sleeping/waking preferences and daily sleep/wake logs of elementary-aged children (N =79) in both seasons were compared, as was the degree of conflict between children and their parents over their daily routines. Findings showed normally-distributed patterns of morningness-eveningness during the dark time and a slight shift for some children toward increased morningness during the light time. Parents reported higher levels of conflict and more desired change in behavior during daily routines with "evening" types than with "morning" types in both seasons. Children's adaptability to changes in light as they meet daily demands of the school schedule is discussed.
Keywords: Sunshine; Children & sleep; Circadian rhythms; Chronobiology; Behavior
Pages: 1-18
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