Getting Enough Sleep is a Game-Changer

Elementary and middle school students need 10-12 hours of sleep per night, and teenagers 8-10 hours. Without enough sleep, the ability to focus and maintain attention decreases which makes staying on task in school and completing homework significantly more difficult. Students today are busier than ever, but an overpacked schedule shouldn’t become an excuse for late nights. If your child is staying up too late, help her figure out why so you can identify an appropriate intervention. For example, it could be a task initiation challenge (see our Tip: Your child is not lazy!) or a planning and time management issue (see our Tip: Create a homework agenda). The benefits of enough sleep are too numerous to count, so help ensure that sleep remains (or in some cases becomes!) a priority for your child. You’ll find a happier, more engaged child with a spring in her step each morning and more energy to carry her through her long day.