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Babies and toddlers who nap a lot may have smaller vocabularies and poorer memory and thinking skills, research suggests. Parents and guardians all over the world worry about their children getting either too little or too much sleep. But a new study reveals that some children are better at consolidating information during sleep, so they nap less frequently. Those with fewer words and poorer cognitive skills need to nap more frequently, the researchers found. Young children will naturally nap for as long as they need and they should be allowed to do just that Dr Teodora Gliga, University of East Anglia However, the findings suggest that reducing naps for these children will not improve brain development, and that they should be allowed to nap as frequently and for as long as they need. Lead researcher Dr Teodora Gliga, from the University of East Anglia (UEA), said: “There is a lot of parental anxiety around sleep. “Parents worry that their kids don’t nap as much as expected for their age – or nap too frequently and for too long. “But our research shows that how frequently a child naps reflects their individual cognitive need. “Some are more efficient at consolidating information during sleep, so they nap less frequently. “Children with smaller vocabularies or a lower score in a measure of executive function nap more frequently.” She added: “Young children will naturally nap for as long as they need and they should be allowed to do just that.” The research team studied 463 infants aged between eight months and three years during lockdown in 2020. What we found is that the structure of daytime sleep is an indicator of cognitive development Dr Teodora Gliga, University of East Anglia Parents were asked about their children’s sleep patterns, their ability to focus on a task, keep information in their memory, and the number of words that they understood and could say. They also asked parents about their socioeconomic status – including their postcode, income, and education – and about the amount of screen time and outdoor activities their child engaged in. Dr Gliga said: “Lockdown gave us an opportunity to study children’s intrinsic sleep needs because when children are in childcare, they rarely nap as much as they need to. “What we found is that the structure of daytime sleep is an indicator of cognitive development. “Infants with more frequent but shorter naps than expected for their age had smaller vocabularies, and worse cognitive function. “We also found that this negative association between vocabulary and frequency of naps was stronger in older children.” She added that although the majority of parents reported that lockdown did not impact their children’s sleep, parents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to report a worsening in sleep. Caregivers should use a child’s mental age and not chronological age to ascertain a child’s sleep needs Dr Teodora Gliga, University of East Anglia “Screen time increased during lockdown and outdoor activities decreased but these did not explain differences in children’s sleep,” Dr Gliga said. She continued: “Our findings suggest that children have different sleep needs – some children may drop naps earlier because they don’t need them anymore. “Others may still need to nap past three years of age. “In the UK, preschools enrolling three to five-year-olds have no provisions for napping. “Caregivers should use a child’s mental age and not chronological age to ascertain a child’s sleep needs.” The study, published in the JCPP Advances journal, was led by UEA in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, the University of Leeds and the University of Warwick. It was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Bursts of activity that make you huff and puff ‘linked to reduced cancer risk’ New outfits in Highland dress collection help museum tell the story of modern tartan 5 expert-approved ways to stop your hair colour fading this summer

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Gareth Wyn Jones, star of BBC series The Family Farm, has launched a search for a butcher who will help him hunt and prepare grey squirrels to be used in burgers. The farmer, 56, plans to serve up the invasive squirrel as part of the menu at his pop-up restaurant in the forthcoming Welsh Game Fair at the Faenol Estate, near Bangor, in September. Jones launched an appeal to help him source grey squirrels and is encouraging visitors to the fair to think of the non-native rodent as “any other wild food” when they tuck into his burgers. The pop-up will mark Jones’ first time running a restaurant. The farmer, who farms near Llanfairfechan in the foothills of the Carneddau Range, said: “Grey squirrels are not native to this country. They were introduced from America and they have led to the decline of our own red squirrel population. “Squirrel meat is like any other wild food, eating them is like foraging for anything else. We have to remember they are a pest. On the farm if I have too many rats, crows or whatever, I have to deal with them.” He added: “What’s the difference with squirrels? Their meat is a by-product so why waste it? It’s a fantastic wild food. “All I need now is an alternative butcher to supply the grey squirrels and it’ll be ready, steady, cook.” Grey squirrels from North America were introduced in the UK in the 1800s and are a major threat to native red squirrel populations. They outcompete the red squirrels for food and space, as they are prolific breeders. Grey squirrels also carry a virus called squirrelpox, which they are actually immune to, but can spread the disease to red squirrels, therefore decimating the local populations. The Woodland Trust describes the introduction of grey squirrels in the UK as having had a “disastrous impact” on red squirrels, which are the UK’s only native squirrel species. Red squirrels are a legally protected species. It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or disturb them. Jones, who has more than a million followers across his social media channels combined, said the best way to “change things” is to eat “food that’s been produced here”, including game like grey squirrel. James Gower, chief executive of Stable Events, the organiser of the Welsh Game Fair, said: “Our aim is to celebrate everything that is best about the countryside and rural pursuits, including the wider benefits of conservation and field sports. “The pop up restaurant will provide a real showcase for the finest fare the countryside has to offer,” he added. “I can’t think of a better mine host than Gareth Wyn Jones who is passionate about promoting proper local produce – and has great likeability. “The idea of putting squirrel burgers on the menu is inspired because it means we can find a good use for a real rural pest and tantalise people’s tastebuds at the same time.” Read More Men sometimes need help – and I’m determined to start asking for it ‘Oblivious’ woman defended after walking through beach wedding: ‘They don’t own the beach’ King’s Guard shares sweet exchange with young boy wearing royal uniform