CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PARENTING


SLEEP
is more common than sleep walking,
but the two often occur together.
WALKING

Sleep Walking

AND SLEEP
The main concern for parents with
sleep-walking children should be
TALKING
safety. Sleep walkers do not have
the judgment that people who are
awake have, and they run the risk of
getting hurt. It may be difficult for
parents to protect their
sleep-walking children. Often, sleep
walkers don't make much noise, so
it's difficult for parents to tell when
their children are sleep walking.
However, sleep walkers are in danger
of getting seriously hurt. They may

stumble or fall over something,

which could result in a serious injury.
Sleep walking and sleep talking, along

with night terrors (discussed in
Though it can be difficult, there are
another handout) make up a group of
ways for parents to protect their
sleep disorders called parasomnias.
sleep-walking children. First of all,
It is not known for sure why children
they should prepare for the
walk and talk in their sleep. Sleep
episodes. Before going to sleep at
walking and sleep talking are not,
night, parents should check their
however, considered to be serious
children's room for hazards. It's
disorders. Both occur during deep
not a good idea for sleep-walking
sleep, usually one to three hours
children to sleep on the top bunk of
after falling asleep.
a bunk bed or in a bed that's high

off the ground. It is a good idea to
Parasomnias tend to run in families,
put away anything that sleep-walking
and children may experience one,
children might trip over should they
two, or all three types. Sleep talking
get up and walk around. Another
idea is to close the bedroom door,
and to lock all windows. This will


Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006

Page 1

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help ensure that children stay in
best just to leave them alone. The
their rooms instead of wandering
episode will probably end within a
around the house. Another
short period of time. In either case,
alternative is to install an alarm
it's not necessary to wake sleeping
system on sleep walkers' beds or
children, as they will quickly fall back
bedroom doors.
into quiet sleep.


The only danger with sleep walking is

the physical danger children are in

while roaming around the house at
Center for Effective Parenting
night. Otherwise, sleep walking
Little Rock Center: (501) 364-7580
should not be a cause for concern.
NW Arkansas Center: (479) 751-6166

It is not linked with any physical or
www.parenting-ed.org
psychological problem. It usually

stops by the time children reach
adolescence. In the meantime, all
that can be done is to take safety
precautions to make sure that sleep
walkers do not hurt themselves.

Sleep Talking

Sleep talking is much more common
than sleep walking or night terrors.
Children who talk in their sleep may
speak very clearly and be easily
understood, while others may
mumble or make noises. Sleep
talking is not a cause for alarm. It is
not associated with any kind of
physical or psychological problem.
There really isn't anything that can
be done to prevent it. If children
are speaking loudly and seem upset,
it might be a good idea for parents
to go to their children and comfort
them. If they're simply talking, it's


Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006

Page 2

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