Dreamlike image of a child sleeping, symbolizing the connection between sleep and learning.

Is Your Nap Helping or Hurting? The Surprising Link Between REM Sleep and Memory in Children

Elliot Brynn in Mind & Education June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals that naps affect memory consolidation differently in typically developing children versus those with Down syndrome, highlighting the crucial role of REM sleep."

Sleep is widely recognized as a vital physiological state that supports learning and memory. Studies have consistently shown that both a full night's sleep and short naps can significantly enhance knowledge acquisition and cognitive performance. This has led to a growing interest in understanding how sleep-dependent learning works, especially in children.

However, the effects of sleep on learning may not be universal. Children with developmental disorders, who often experience impaired sleep quality, might respond differently to naps. A recent study has investigated the impact of napping on word learning in typically developing (TD) children and children with Down syndrome (DS) to explore these differences.

The findings reveal that while naps benefit memory consolidation in TD children, they can hinder it in children with DS. This highlights the intricate relationship between sleep, memory, and developmental conditions, underscoring the necessity to tailor sleep strategies to individual needs. The key seems to lie in understanding the role of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, a critical phase for memory processing.

How Naps Impact Memory Differently in Typically Developing Children and Those with Down Syndrome

Dreamlike image of a child sleeping, symbolizing the connection between sleep and learning.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona and University College London, examined how naps affected word learning in preschool-aged children, both with and without Down syndrome. The results indicated a striking contrast: naps improved memory performance in TD children but impeded it in children with DS.

Despite similar immediate memory retention in both groups, children with DS retained less information when tested after a nap. Interestingly, they showed greater accuracy after a period of wakefulness, suggesting that the consolidation of new information may require different processes in this population.

Typical Children (TD): Naps enhanced memory performance. Showed better retention of new words after a nap compared to a wakeful period.
Children with Down Syndrome (DS): Naps hindered memory performance. Retained less information after a nap but were more accurate after a wake interval.

These effects persisted even 24 hours later, following an intervening overnight sleep, emphasizing the lasting impact of daytime naps on memory consolidation. The discovery challenges the assumption that naps are universally beneficial and suggests that their effects are modulated by underlying neurodevelopmental conditions.

The Implications of REM Sleep for Memory Consolidation in Children

The study highlights the importance of REM sleep in memory consolidation, particularly in TD children. During naps, memory retention for object-label associations positively correlated with the percentage of time spent in REM sleep. This suggests that REM sleep plays a crucial role in actively consolidating new arbitrary labels, integrating them into existing neural networks.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1073/pnas.1811488115, Alternate LINK

Title: Rem Sleep In Naps Differentially Relates To Memory Consolidation In Typical Preschoolers And Children With Down Syndrome

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Authors: Goffredina Spanò, Rebecca L. Gómez, Bianca I. Demara, Mary Alt, Stephen L. Cowen, Jamie O. Edgin

Published: 2018-10-29

Everything You Need To Know

How do naps affect memory differently in typically developing children?

The study indicates that naps improve memory performance in typically developing children. They showed better retention of new words after a nap compared to a wakeful period. This enhancement is linked to REM sleep, a phase where memory retention for object-label associations positively correlated with the percentage of time spent in REM sleep.

What impact do naps have on memory in children with Down syndrome?

For children with Down syndrome, naps hindered memory performance. They retained less information after a nap, but showed greater accuracy after a period of wakefulness. This suggests that the consolidation of new information may require different processes in this population, indicating that naps are not universally beneficial and their effects are modulated by underlying neurodevelopmental conditions.

What is REM sleep and why is it important for memory consolidation?

REM sleep, or Rapid Eye Movement sleep, is a critical sleep phase for memory processing. In typically developing children, memory retention during naps positively correlates with the percentage of time spent in REM sleep. This suggests that REM sleep actively consolidates new arbitrary labels, integrating them into existing neural networks, thereby enhancing memory consolidation.

How does the amount of REM sleep during naps relate to memory retention in typically developing children?

The study found that in typically developing children, the percentage of time spent in REM sleep during naps positively correlated with memory retention for object-label associations. This implies that REM sleep is crucial for actively consolidating new labels and integrating them into existing neural networks. It suggests that the more time spent in REM sleep, the better the memory consolidation for new information.

What are the broader implications of these findings regarding the effects of naps on children's learning?

The study challenges the assumption that naps are universally beneficial for memory consolidation in children. It demonstrates that the effects of naps are modulated by underlying neurodevelopmental conditions. While naps enhance memory in typically developing children, they can hinder it in children with Down syndrome. This indicates the need to tailor sleep strategies to individual needs, considering the intricate relationship between sleep, memory, and developmental conditions.