Primary school children with sleep problems are falling behind in their early years at school because their disrupted nights are leaving them tired, grumpy and unable to concentrate.

A Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) study found nearly a quarter of children aged six and seven have trouble sleeping, and their disturbed slumber has a drastic effect on their health, behaviour and ability to learn and interact at school.

Using results from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children researchers drew on data for nearly 4,500 children, whose sleep behaviour was recorded when they were aged four to five and again at six to seven.

Lead researcher, Jon Quach, said children with persistent sleep problems at school age had worst results when their parents and teachers were quizzed on their behaviour, learning ability and health.

Mr Quach says it is important for children to get adequate sleep as their brain is still growing, and sleep also enables them to concentrate in class and remember information. "Sleep enables the child’s brain to take in the wealth of information presented to them in these crucial early years of their education,” he said.