Why Your Children’s Health Depends Upon Getting Proper Sleep

While sleep may seem to be a luxury for adults with demanding schedules, sleep is critical for your children’s health. Sleep is a time of healing for children, and they cannot skimp on slumber without suffering physical and mental consequences.

If you ask teachers, they are quick to point out that learning doesn’t take place in children with sleep deficits. Teachers know when your children’s health is being affected. Teachers can tell which children are well-rested and which children are fighting to stay alert. For your children’s health and well-being, they need to get a full night’s rest every night. Younger children need naps, as well. For your kids to be fully present and happy at school, they need to experience all stages of sleep.

Children’s health and their IQs are shown to be correlated with how much sleep they get or don’t get. Children physically “act out” when they haven’t had their rest. You can set them up early on for a lifetime of improved sleep by getting them into a routine of going to bed on time, all the time (including weekends). Your children’s health and brain development is absolutely dependent upon them going to bed and sleeping without interruption throughout the night.

While you may have learned how to operate with less sleep, your children’s health and daytime behavior depends upon getting the right amount of shuteye time. Preschoolers and elementary age youngsters need at least 10 hours of sleep, while junior high and high school age kids need a minimum of eight hours.