People in primary school teaching jobs in London may feel like they could do with a rest from time to time, but a new report suggests that it would be the children who get the most benefit from having a brief nap.

Research from scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that children aged between three and five who took an hour-long nap after their lunch could boost their brain power and aid their learning.

Although the test was only conducted on a small group of 40 youngsters, the researchers saw enough evidence to suggest that a short sleep can provide benefits in the following afternoon and even into the next day. They suggested that naps are critical for memory consolidation and early learning.

Test results demonstrated that following a nap, children recalled ten per cent more of the information they were being taught than they did when they had been kept awake, while scientists also saw increased activity in brain regions linked with learning and integrating new information.

Dr Robert Scott-Jupp from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health told the BBC: "It's been known for years that having a short sleep can improve the mental performance of adults, for example doctors working night shifts. Up until now, no-one has looked at the same thing in toddlers. This is important, because pre-school nurseries are divided on whether they should allow their children a nap."

He explained that young school children "soak up" a lot of information every day as their natural inquisitiveness develops and they begin to gain some independence.

Without enough sleep - both through the night and a daytime nap - young children can easily become tired, grumpy, forgetful and not as receptive to learning, Dr Scott-Jupp added.

If you are looking for a nursery or primary school teaching role, what do you think about this? Is there a noticeable difference in children's behaviour in the afternoon?