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Sleep

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Adequate sleep contributes to student health, focus, and being ready to learn.

Sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for the whole family. Research shows that the amount and quality of sleep affects kids' health, safety, mood, and ability to learn.

— dr. carolyn sleeth, osd medical advisor

OSD medical advisor

Why Sleep Is Important for Learning

  • Sleep is critical for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance.
  • Students who get enough sleep are more likely to perform well academically and socially.

How to Support Healthy Sleep Habits

  • Establish consistent bedtime routines that allow for at least 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
  • Create a screen-free zone in bedrooms to reduce distractions before bed.
  • Talk to your child about how they feel when they’re well-rested and connect it to their performance.
Bar chart titled 'How much sleep do kids need?' showing recommended hours of sleep for children by age group. Infants (4-12 months) need 12-16 hours including naps, toddlers (1-2 years) need 11-14 hours including naps, preschoolers (3-5 years) need 10-13 hours including naps, grade schoolers (6-12 years) need 9-12 hours, and teens (13-18 years) need 8-10 hours.
CDC infographic titled 'Zzzzz... Sleepy Kids: Most Students Need More Sleep.' Highlights that kids aged 6-12 years need 9-12 hours of sleep, while teens aged 13-18 years need 8-10 hours of sleep. Shows that 6 out of 10 middle schoolers and 7 out of 10 high schoolers don’t get enough sleep. Includes illustrations of a student thinking about school and a person sleeping under a crescent moon with sheep. Data source: Wheaton et al., MMWR, January 2018.

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