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5.6: Sleep

  • Page ID
    278314
  • This page is a draft and under active development. Please forward any questions, comments, and/or feedback to the ASCCC OERI (oeri@asccc.org).

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    Sleep is essential for learning and brain development, especially in elementary-aged students. During sleep, the brain processes new information, strengthens memory, and clears out toxins that build up during the day. For young students, getting enough sleep helps with concentration, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and overall cognitive function. Lack of sleep can lead to difficulty focusing in class, trouble remembering lessons, and increased irritability or stress.

    How Sleep Supports Learning and Brain Development:

    1. Memory Consolidation: Sleep helps the brain store and organize information learned throughout the day, making it easier for children to recall facts, vocabulary, and problem-solving techniques.
    2. Cognitive Function: Adequate rest enhances attention, reasoning, and creativity, all of which are important for school performance.
    3. Emotional Regulation: Children who get enough sleep are better at managing emotions, reducing the likelihood of mood swings, anxiety, or behavioral issues.
    4. Physical Growth and Health: Growth hormones are released during deep sleep, supporting overall development and immune system function.

    Recommended Sleep Duration by Age:

    • 6-year-old: 9–12 hours per night
    • 10-year-old: 9–12 hours per night
    • 13-year-old: 8–10 hours per night
    • 16-year-old: 8–10 hours per night

    Younger children typically require more sleep because their brains are still rapidly developing. As children reach adolescence, their sleep needs slightly decrease, but getting a full night's rest remains crucial for academic performance and emotional well-being. However, many teenagers struggle with sleep due to biological shifts in their circadian rhythms, leading to later sleep times and early school start times, which can negatively impact learning.

    Tips for Healthy Sleep Habits:

    • Establish a consistent bedtime routine.
    • Limit screen time before bed to reduce blue light exposure.
    • Encourage physical activity during the day.
    • Create a quiet, dark, and cool sleep environment.
    • Avoid caffeine and heavy meals before bedtime.

    Ensuring children and teenagers get enough rest helps them perform better in school, retain information, and develop essential problem-solving and emotional skills. Prioritizing sleep is just as important as studying and attending class for academic success!


    This page titled 5.6: Sleep is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kerry Diaz & Tenessa Sanchez.