Tiredness in very young children is normal, particularly if they rely on naps during the day to recharge their batteries. Any parent can tell you the surest sign of nap time is a child who's ready to fall asleep wherever she happens to be, whether it's in the car, at the kitchen table, playing on the floor or anywhere. Tiredness in older children, however, can be the result of illness or other causes, most of which can be addressed through changes in behaviors.
Signs
Tiredness in young children is often manifested in a "start-and-stop" pattern of high energy followed by sleepiness that can repeat several times a day, according to British physician and medical journalist Dr. Trisha Macnair, writing for the BBC. Older children, just as many adults do, tend to get tired and irritable late in the afternoon, particularly if they didn't sleep well or had insufficient sleep the previous night. Teens also exhibit sleep-related problems by having a difficult time waking up in the morning and sleeping for long stretches on the weekends.
Effects
Excessive tiredness in children can affect school performance. Children who are too tired to pay attention in class will miss out on lessons and important information. In addition, children who aren't alert and wide awake can struggle on tests and other classwork. The National Sleep Foundation also points out that behavior problems, depression, poor grades, and poor judgment that could include substance abuse can result from chronic tiredness and insufficient sleep.
Causes
In the BBC report, Dr. Macnair notes that most tiredness problems in children can be solved by a few early-to-bed nights in a row. She suggests this approach for when children often exhibit signs of sleepiness. But more serious causes of tiredness can include illnesses such as mononucleosis and other infections, and, in rare cases, more severe diseases such as diabetes and leukemia. If your child exhibits other symptoms of an infection, such as fever, headaches, sore throat or achiness, seek medical attention and stress more rest at home. Sleep apnea, or momentary pauses in breathing during the night, is less common in children than in adults, but is still a cause of tiredness during the day and can usually be diagnosed through a one-night sleep study.
Solutions
If your children are getting less than eight hours of sleep a night, adjust their bedtimes and/or wake-up times to help get them at least eight hours of sleep. Dr. Macnair suggests keeping a log of when your child falls asleep, arises in the morning and when or how often your child experiences noticeable tiredness. This can help you arrange bedtimes and provide you helpful information if you need to talk with a doctor. Also, make sure your child's bedroom is cool, dark and comfortable, and that stimulants such as caffeine and computer use are avoided in the evening to help make falling asleep easier. If tiredness continues to be a problem after steps are taken to address it, talk with your pediatrician about a sleep study.
Prevention
Avoiding tiredness problems in children involves some of the same tips you would apply to adults who are prone to sleepiness during the day. More exercise during the day will keep kids energized, but by the end of the day should help them sleep more soundly, the National Sleep Foundation reports. Also, make sure kids eat a healthy diet and don't go more than one night, if possible, without a full night's sleep.
