The Effects of Sleep Deprivation - School Children

In this second post of the series I'll be looking at sleep deprivation and how it affects school aged children, this is an important stage for children's learning and even a small reduction in their sleep can have a big impact on their all round development.

Children need gradually decreasing amounts of sleep as they get older and it is important to check that they are actually getting what they need, rather than what they say they need - which can be two different things!

Children between the ages of five and twelve need between 11 and 12 hours sleep each night. By the time they reach school ages they no longer need a daytime nap, so this all needs to be at nighttime, so a prompt bedtime is essential to make sure they get their full daily sleep requirements met.

In school aged children the growth rate has slowed down and is not as dramatic as when they were younger however still needs to be taken into consideration for their sleep needs. Unlike an adult whose bodies repair and renew themselves during sleep and rest, children's bodies also need sleep time to grow. Even a half an hour sleep deficit each night can also have a drastic affect on children's concentration and learning abilities.

There is a huge demand on children this age from school, homework, sports and extra-curricular activities. Children of this age also have a growing interest in TV, computers, internet and games. There is also an increase in consuming caffeinated products as well and parents have less control over their diets with school canteens and pocket money spends, which makes more demands on their health needs too.

This is also an age where sleep problems begin to show up and there can also be a resistance to bedtime and sleep. It is important to observe and take not of any dramatic changes in children's sleep patterns.
A lack of sleep will show up in mood swings, behavioural problems, lack of energy and enthusiasm as well as a decrease in school marks and grades.

As parents you can help your child by

- keeping an open discussion about the importance of sleep and setting good sleep habits
- keeping bedrooms for sleep and having play areas elsewhere in the house
- keeping computer and gaming equipment out of the bedroom
- having a 'no screen hour' before bedtime to help them wind down for sleep
- encouraging mobile phones to be switched off at night
- ensuring they eat a balanced diet with only a small amount of caffeine

These simple sleep measures will help ensure that school aged children wake each morning ready to get the most out their busy days at school.

If you would like help in changing your children's sleep routines, then please contact me and we can arrange for a free introductory session.