Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits for a Successful School Year Ahead
As families gear up for another school year, the importance of sleep cannot be overstated. With school starting soon, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is launching its sixth annual Student Sleep Health Week, scheduled for September 15–19. This event aims to unite families, educators, and community members to underscore the vital role sleep plays in the lives of students.
Sleep is not merely a time for rest; it is a critical component that can significantly enhance students’ academic performance, health, social relationships, and overall well-being. Dr. Shalini Paruthi, a pediatric sleep medicine physician and representative for AASM, emphasizes the need for families to reassess bedtime routines as the summer months wind down. She advises that shifting away from indulgences such as late-night socializing or excessive screentime can help students start the new school year with a well-structured routine that promotes restfulness.
The AASM's survey reveals that while 85% of parents report their children have regular bedtime routines, many children are still not getting sufficient sleep. Notably, parents indicate that inadequate sleep can have detrimental effects on their children’s mood, behavior, attitude, physical energy, and academic performance. Specifically, 63% of parents noted that lack of sleep negatively affected their child’s mood, while 34% cited impacts on academic performance.
Dr. Paruthi illustrates the strong link between sleep and mental health, stating, "Sleep plays a critical role in helping kids manage their mood and mental health. If your child is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, assessing their sleep habits is a key first step." Parents are encouraged to discuss any sleep-related concerns with their child's pediatrician to explore potential solutions.
The recommended sleep duration varies by age: children aged 6 to 12 should ideally get between nine to twelve hours per night, while adolescents aged 13 to 18 should aim for eight to ten hours. To help families establish consistent sleep habits, the AASM provides online tools like the bedtime calculator, designed to adapt sleep schedules according to kids' unique needs.
Amid these discussions, the survey indicated that around 24% of parents have resorted to administering melatonin to their children under 18 to aid sleep. This rise in melatonin use among children has sparked safety concerns, evidenced by an increase in overdose reports, emergency room visits, and calls to poison control centers. In 2022, the AASM issued a health advisory urging parents to consult healthcare professionals before giving melatonin to their children.
As part of Student Sleep Health Week, families, educators, and community groups can access valuable resources through the AASM. Support is provided by partners including Beyond Bedtime, National Association of School Nurses, and others. The importance of this initiative was echoed in 2020 when a resolution from the U.S. House of Representatives recognized the significance of the event.
Educators seeking to promote healthy sleep habits can access a toolkit filled with lesson plans, posters, and classroom activities. Furthermore, the initiative encourages discussions on social media through hashtags like #SleepWelltoExcel and #StudentSleepWeek, fostering a community dialogue on the significance of adequate sleep for children’s health and success.
To support these initiatives, parents and educators are encouraged to research the latest findings from sleep experts regarding the sleep needs of school-aged children. Resources, including the AASM’s Sleep Education website and various research studies, are available for those interested in learning more.
The AASM has a long-standing commitment to improving sleep health and care, having been established in 1975. With a vast membership of over 9,500 health professionals and accreditation of approximately 2,300 sleep centers across the U.S., the AASM continues to champion the cause of sleep medicine.
Sleep is not merely a time for rest; it is a critical component that can significantly enhance students’ academic performance, health, social relationships, and overall well-being. Dr. Shalini Paruthi, a pediatric sleep medicine physician and representative for AASM, emphasizes the need for families to reassess bedtime routines as the summer months wind down. She advises that shifting away from indulgences such as late-night socializing or excessive screentime can help students start the new school year with a well-structured routine that promotes restfulness.
The AASM's survey reveals that while 85% of parents report their children have regular bedtime routines, many children are still not getting sufficient sleep. Notably, parents indicate that inadequate sleep can have detrimental effects on their children’s mood, behavior, attitude, physical energy, and academic performance. Specifically, 63% of parents noted that lack of sleep negatively affected their child’s mood, while 34% cited impacts on academic performance.
Dr. Paruthi illustrates the strong link between sleep and mental health, stating, "Sleep plays a critical role in helping kids manage their mood and mental health. If your child is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, assessing their sleep habits is a key first step." Parents are encouraged to discuss any sleep-related concerns with their child's pediatrician to explore potential solutions.
The recommended sleep duration varies by age: children aged 6 to 12 should ideally get between nine to twelve hours per night, while adolescents aged 13 to 18 should aim for eight to ten hours. To help families establish consistent sleep habits, the AASM provides online tools like the bedtime calculator, designed to adapt sleep schedules according to kids' unique needs.
Amid these discussions, the survey indicated that around 24% of parents have resorted to administering melatonin to their children under 18 to aid sleep. This rise in melatonin use among children has sparked safety concerns, evidenced by an increase in overdose reports, emergency room visits, and calls to poison control centers. In 2022, the AASM issued a health advisory urging parents to consult healthcare professionals before giving melatonin to their children.
As part of Student Sleep Health Week, families, educators, and community groups can access valuable resources through the AASM. Support is provided by partners including Beyond Bedtime, National Association of School Nurses, and others. The importance of this initiative was echoed in 2020 when a resolution from the U.S. House of Representatives recognized the significance of the event.
Educators seeking to promote healthy sleep habits can access a toolkit filled with lesson plans, posters, and classroom activities. Furthermore, the initiative encourages discussions on social media through hashtags like #SleepWelltoExcel and #StudentSleepWeek, fostering a community dialogue on the significance of adequate sleep for children’s health and success.
To support these initiatives, parents and educators are encouraged to research the latest findings from sleep experts regarding the sleep needs of school-aged children. Resources, including the AASM’s Sleep Education website and various research studies, are available for those interested in learning more.
The AASM has a long-standing commitment to improving sleep health and care, having been established in 1975. With a vast membership of over 9,500 health professionals and accreditation of approximately 2,300 sleep centers across the U.S., the AASM continues to champion the cause of sleep medicine.
Topics Health）
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