As students across Central Illinois head back to school, parents are facing another annual challenge: getting children back onto a regular sleep schedule after the more relaxed routine of summer.
Late nights, sleeping in and changing schedules can make the transition to early school mornings difficult. Health experts say establishing a consistent bedtime and wake-up time can help children adjust and arrive at school ready to learn.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children ages 6 to 12 should generally get between 9 and 12 hours of sleep each night, while teenagers ages 13 to 18 should get between 8 and 10 hours. Adequate sleep is associated with better attention, behavior, learning, memory and emotional regulation.
The CDC’s latest data also shows that about 86 percent of children ages 2 to 17 had a regular bedtime most days or every day in 2024. About 8 percent reported being tired most or every day.
For families trying to get back into a school-year routine, health experts recommend keeping bedtimes and wake-up times as consistent as possible. Parents can also begin winding down the household before bedtime, limit stimulating activities and electronic devices in the evening, and make sure children have a quiet, comfortable environment for sleeping.
For teenagers, getting enough sleep can be particularly challenging. Research reviewed by the CDC has found that insufficient sleep among adolescents is associated with problems including attention and behavior issues, poor mental health and poorer academic performance.
The bottom line for parents is simple: as the school year gets underway, don’t overlook the importance of a good night’s sleep.
A consistent routine now can make those early mornings, and the school day that follows. a little easier for everyone.
Comments