A child’s development is dependent on more than what he or she does while awake: Sleep habits are, according to new research, just as important.

According to researchers at University College London, 3-year-olds who had regular bedtimes performed better on cognitive tests four years later than their less sleep-regimented peers. It didn’t matter whether the bedtimes were early or late. As long as they happened at an expected hour, the children performed better.

Scientists have long known sleep is an important element in giving children a good head start. Research indicates that school-age kids—from kindergarten to eighth grade—perform best when they get 10 hours of sleep. Preschoolers thrive with 11 to 13 hours of sleep, including naps. (Wall Street Journal) (See also.)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife Wendy and his two children. Follow him on Twitter.