The Importance of Sleep

The Importance of Sleep

Did you know that sleep can affect…

Cognitive Ability

Sleep deprivation can affect a child’s ability to learn. Skills that are needed in school, such as attention, memory, and decision-making, can all be diminished due to inadequate sleep.

Immunity

The better rested your child is and the more sleep they get, the stronger their immune system will be to fight off illness that spread across the classrooms during the school year. 

Mood

If your child has a hard time getting out of bed and appears grouchy in the morning they might need more sleep.

Tips to Getting Enough Sleep

Consistent Time

Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Even on weekends, try not to stray more than an hour or so from bedtime.

Newborns (up to three months): 14 to 17 hours

Infants (four to 11 months): 12 to 15 hours

Toddlers (one to two): 11 to 14 hours

Preschoolers (three to five): 10 to 13 hours

School-age (six to 13): 9 to 11 hours

Tweens and Teens (14 to 17): 8 to 10 hours

Have a Bedtime Routine

Implement a consistent bedtime routine, with enough time for it to be a relaxed experience. A bedtime routine of similar activities each night sends cues to your child’s brain that it’s almost time to sleep, which triggers the release of the natural “sleep hormone” melatonin.

Encourage Quiet Activities

Start winding down an hour before bed. Stimulating activities such as TV, computer games, and Internet usage can make it hard for children to calm down before bed, and can cause sleep problems. 

Tip: Give your child a 10-15 minute warning before getting ready for bed, so they are prepared and know what to expect.

Sleep.org