Innovative App Under Development to Help Young Children Sleep Better

Managing bedtime routines can be challenging for parents, especially when children face behavioral sleep issues. In response, Griffith University researchers are developing the Lights Out App, an evidence-based digital tool designed to assist children aged 3 to 12 in establishing healthy sleep habits. Sleep difficulties among children are common; approximately one-third of Australian kids experience some form of sleep problem, often behavioral, such as trouble falling asleep, resisting bedtime, or needing parental presence to sleep. These issues can impact a child's physical and emotional health. The research team, led by Professor Caroline Donovan from the School of Applied Psychology, has previously tested the effectiveness of the Lights Out program through face-to-face sessions, videoconferencing, and online platforms. The program addresses various aspects of sleep health, including sleep education, goal setting, sleep hygiene, establishing rewarding bedtime routines, and managing nighttime anxiety and oppositional behaviors. Feedback from parents indicates a strong interest in an app version of the program that would make it more accessible and convenient. Thanks to support from the Cogniss Priority Digital Health Challenge, the team is leveraging no-code technology to transform the Lights Out program into an easy-to-use mobile application. They aim to launch the app by the end of the year, providing families with a trusted, evidence-based tool to improve their children's sleep patterns.