How Much Sleep Do Kids Need?

Posted by Gary Hopkins on June 5th 2010 at 1:36am

In a previous blog we discussed how important sleep is for kids. Here is some more information that you might find interesting regarding sleep and kids, from a report by researchers at Stanford University.

Adolescents need 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep. Children need 10 hours and adults need 8 1/4 hours. Kids rarely get that much due to early school start time, inability to fall asleep until late at night, work, social life and homework.

Parents may need to adjust their child’s schedule to allow more sleep. Most teens are chronically sleep deprived and try to “catch up” on their sleep by sleeping in on the weekends. Ultimately they should go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This consistency is considered “good sleep hygiene”.

Sleep deprivation can impair memory and inhibit creativity, making it difficult for sleep deprived students to learn. Teens struggle with managing their stress and controlling their emotions — sleep deprivation makes it even more difficult. Irritability, lack of self confidence and mood swings are often common in teens, but sleep deprivation makes it worse. Chronic sleep-deprivation can even cause depression.

Lack of sleep can endanger the teenage immune system and make them more susceptible to serious illnesses.

Teenage judgment can also be impaired by tiredness. We don’t know how many car crashes involving teen drivers are sleep-related, but it is certainly a safety risk.

And, the Bible addresses the need for rest (sleep): And He said to them, Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by your selves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 NIV

A recent fantastic article from PositiveChoices.com