Statement of Problem

Insomnia (difficulty falling/staying asleep) and insufficient sleep during early childhood have been shown to negatively impact child development. For example, sleep problems can lead to inattention and poor social-emotional skills, which can make it harder for children to be ready for school. With insomnia and poor sleep impacting 20-30 percent of young children, the National Academy of Medicine has referred to poor sleep as a critical public health concern for the last decade.

Although there is a robust evidence base for the benefits of sleep intervention in early childhood, few studies have examined the efficacy of such treatments among low-income groups. Research shows that children exposed to socio-demographic risk factors are more likely to show sleep difficulties and often face substantial barriers to accessing and engaging in care. Pediatric primary care is an ideal setting to deliver interventions given how accessible it is to families and the expansion of behavioral health services into primary care. Intervention in primary care may be especially feasible during early childhood, when there are many well-child visits. Unfortunately, there is little research on sleep intervention programs in this context.