Healthy Sleep Helps Kids Learn, Grow and Feel Their Best
Why Sleep Matters for Kids and Teens
Sleep is more than just rest. For children and teens, getting enough sleep supports learning, behavior, emotional well-being and physical health.
“Sleep is an essential part of healthy development. It supports the brain and body in ways that can affect how children learn, behave and feel throughout the day,” says Dr. Bhattacharjee, a pediatric sleep specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.
Yet many kids aren’t getting the sleep they need. Six out of 10 middle schoolers and seven out of 10 high schoolers don’t get enough sleep.
How Sleep Affects Kids
Getting enough sleep can help children:
- Improve concentration, memory and executive functioning
- Perform better at school
- Regulate emotions and behavior
- Support overall physical health
On the other hand, too little sleep can contribute to attention difficulties, irritability, behavioral problems and poorer mental health. Insufficient sleep is also associated with increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, injuries and other health concerns.
Sleep difficulties are common, too. Insomnia symptoms affect an estimated 15–20% of children and up to 30% of adolescent girls.
“Sleep patterns are modifiable; improving how kids sleep can lead to better short and long term outcomes for child growth and development” says Dr. Gunn, behavioral sleep psychologist at Rady Children’s Hospital.
3 Simple Ways to Support Better Sleep
-
Keep a Consistent Schedule
Try to keep bedtime and wake time consistent every day—even on weekends, within about one hour.
-
Wind Down and Unplug
Create a calming bedtime routine. Encourage reading or relaxing and turn off screens, social media and texting before bed.
-
Let In the Morning Light
Open the blinds and get exposure to natural morning light. This can help regulate the body’s internal clock and promote daytime alertness.
If your child regularly has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or feels excessively tired during the day, talk with their pediatrician.
Healthy sleep is an important part of helping kids learn, grow and thrive.