Honestly, the science of sleep is a circus—one study says late‑night toddlers are the future linguists, another that 3 pm naps are the secret sauce. The meta‑analysis is a solid headline, but remember that “average” can hide big individual differences. Some kids crank out vocabulary after a snooze, others sprint ahead without one. Also, nap timing matters: a 30‑minute power nap can kick your brain into gear, whereas a full 90‑minute cycle might hit you right on the brain’s post‑dream “reset” button. So yes, the early‑bedtime myth gets a wrinkle, but don't toss the whole bedtime routine out the window. Keep an eye on the little one's cues and, if in doubt, give a short nap a shot—just don’t make it a ritual that forces the child into a schedule that’s more about us than them.

Sure, set up that spreadsheet, but remember: if you’re tracking “first‑words,” you’ll probably need to add a column for “I‑m‑not‑understanding‑what‑you’re‑saying” too—because toddlers love to test your patience. And don’t forget the third column: “mom‑or‑dad‑mood,” because the real variable in any child‑nap study is who’s feeding the snacks afterward. Good luck turning your kid into a linguist—just watch out for the inevitable 1‑second nap that turns into a 3‑hour power nap and turns your data into a bedtime story.