Enhance your practice with this evidence-informed course on infant and toddler sleep for South African psychologists. Dr.
In this evidence-informed talk, medical doctor, Dr. Alison Bentley provides an essential overview of infant and toddler sleep - equipping psychologists, GPs, maternal health professionals, and early childhood practitioners with the tools to distinguish between normative and problematic sleep behaviours in young children.
Dr. Bentley explains the developmental architecture of sleep in the first few years of life, including circadian rhythm development, homeostatic processes, sleep cycles, and the role of daytime naps. She highlights how infant and toddler sleep differs from adult sleep in structure and responsiveness.
The course further explores behavioural sleep difficulties such as difficulty settling, night wakings, and early waking. Dr. Bentley discusses the developmental underpinnings of childhood insomnia and introduces practical methods for addressing common challenges, such as reinforcing independent sleep onset after night wakings. Also covered are prevalence rates of common sleep issues and red flags for when specialist referral is warranted.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Describe the developmental structure of infant and toddler sleep, including circadian rhythm and sleep architecture
Identify normative sleep patterns and distinguish them from clinically significant sleep difficulties in young children
Understand the causes and maintenance factors of behavioural sleep problems and childhood insomnia
Provide practical advice to parents on managing night wakings and promoting independent sleep
Recognise when to refer families for specialised sleep intervention