When I was a girl the taking of an afternoon nap was normal practice for many women, at least for those who were housewives. Not surprising really, when you consider the sheer amount of physical labour involved in housework. And an essential element of the routine for many was to awaken refreshed & change into some non-work clothes for the rest of the day & evening
It was also common practice for children to take a formal afternoon nap at school. Infant schools (ages 5&6) were generally completely separate from junior schools (ages 7-11). At my infant school we were each issued with a rush mat on which we had to lie quietly on the floor after school dinner; often you did actually go to sleep. I think that children who went home for dinner (does anyone do that these days?) were expected to rest at home before returning to school
