Late Chronomer

My daughter Amira (3 years old) and my friend’s daughter Jasmine (5 years)  have something in common. For one is their habit of sleeping past midnight with or without a nap in the afternoon. Although if they ever had a nap it usually takes only about 30 minutes. Their deprival need of sleeping has started since their infant years. However, after several visits to the child psychologist, we can be sure that physically and psychologically they are healthy and making many progress in their development both physically and psychologically. Although at the other end of the spectrum, they are also very picky eaters and have better moods for outdoor activities.


There is a pattern to what Amira does during her activities time. I keep a record  to her activities based on four-phase of her energy level that are more common to happen throughout her growing years. Amira wakes up at around 8.30 am to 9 am. Often times she wakes up around 6 am or 7 am. At the first-phase, in the morning until the daytime, her energy level is at her lowest. She would prefer working on art and crafting such as cutting, painting and working on puzzles. This is the time where she tends to require her privacy. She will be more quiet and introvert. At the second phase, at noon to the evening, her energy level will be rising. She will need activities that include many exercises for her bodily kinesthetic energy that is quite high, such as climbing, running or dancing. This is the time when she will be on her prime for interaction with other person outside her house such as getting along with her friends and she will be more open for communication with others. At the third phase, from the evening to midnight, her energy level is at its peak. Her high curiosity and creative thinking show at its best. She will be like any child during the daytime. This is the time when Amira has a lot better reception of any knowledge she sees and hears as she becomes completely alert. She would do unique experiments to fulfill her curiosities and get the answers with her own way that is unique that I can not imagine before. She can be very creative at thinking, solving problem, gross motor skills and fine motor skill. Not only she will move creatively but concentrate very well too, she would love to do her workbook which she loves to do writing alphabets, mazes and counting. At the fourth phase, at midnight until before she prepares herself for bed, she would love to sit quietly watching her favorite program that has many song and music in it while doing the puzzles or coloring, but talking very actively, singing, moving and dancing are her favorite things to do anytime of the day.

Jasmine stays up even longer, few hours longer than Amira. She usually falls asleep at 5 am. Jasmine usually starts her high energy about 5 hours after she wakes up in the morning. Her energy starts rising higher at 11pm, at these times she is fully alert, she likes to exercise her gross motor skills while singing with loud noise and dancing jump up and down on her bed, starts at 2 am she is at her time of her creative thinking and doing experiments to fulfill her curiosities, sometimes involve water, such as playing water in the bathroom or bathtub, and then she would end the day by watching her favorite film that has songs and musics. Like Amira, Jasmine's way of finding answers and express curiosity are unique, Jasmine also bodily kinesthetic, has huge amount of energy too. What more unique to me is that their uniqueness, is different and original.

by : Laksmira Bayuardi