View Article

Family Health

Kids Need More Sleep
By: Family First Staff
Printer Friendly Version

Sleep expert James Maas says kids aren't getting enough sleep.  How many hours of nightly sleep do children need?

• Young children / 9
• Teenagers and college-age / 9.25

Why is it important?

• When children don't get enough sleep they are:

More forgetful, more irritable, don't learn as well, more prone to mistakes, more clumsy

How can your child get more sleep?  (Tips from James Maas) 

• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Get up at the same time every day.
• Have a quiet, dark and cool bedroom.
• Sleep on a good pillow and mattress.
• Exercise during the day… but not within one hour of bedtime.
• Eat right.
• No caffeine after 2 p.m.
• No eating close to bedtime.
• No TV or video games within one hour of bedtime.
• Take a warm bath before bed.
• Read a story at bedtime.