Academic success is linked to sufficient sleep
Date :
Monday, May 24 2010
Source:
Autourina Mains
Sleep is food for the brain and without adequate sleep the whole body suffers. As your child spends all day in school, he/she is learning a great deal of new information and without enough sleep the brain is not able to consolidate information and build new memory. When we are sleeping, our brain goes to work (not strenuous work, but organizing work). It works to problem solve (that’s why when you have a problem, the saying is “sleep on it.”).
While asleep the brain works to consolidate the information it has gained throughout the day and file it into permanent memory. “Old knowledge” is needed in order to build new knowledge. For instance when the baby first learns the word dog, the brain stores and files it into permanent memory. The next time when the baby sees another breed of dog, the brain uses the “association” of the permanent memory to retain the new information. Your school age child is gaining tremendous amount of new knowledge and it is vital for your child to get enough sleep during this time.
Children are under a lot of stress in school and having sufficient sleep can help them deal with their stresses. Benefits of sleep are numerous including:
- Stronger immune system (less allergies, illnesses)
- Overall health and well being (muscular and skeletal system). Diabetes and childhood obesity has been linked to lack of sleep.
- Better memory
- Less behavior issues (children that are sleep deprived are cranky, irritable, moody, less social)
- Better appetite
- More energy
- Ability to learn and retain information
Researchers have linked lack of sleep to:
- Poor academic performance
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsive behavior
- Depression
- Aggressive behavior
- Anxiety, and poor health (allergies, obesity)
Children 5-12 years old need 9-10 hours of sleep every day. Children who do not get enough sleep may have poor academic performance and more challenging behavior at school. Children’s schedules can be overwhelmingly busy, so it is our job as parent to help our child participate in fewer after school activities and make getting enough sleep a priority. Research shows that even catching up on lost sleep is not as effective as getting enough sleep. Some children may need naps after school, especially the younger children. A short 30 minute nap is a wonderful way to let your child relax, and rejuvenate. Some little ones have a hard time going to sleep at night when they are overtired, so a short afternoon nap can actually help them fall asleep easier at night. Oftentimes adults can benefit from a small siesta after work as well. Let your body relax for 20-30 minutes and you’ll have more energy to enjoy your evening with your family.