Head of Primary fortnightly blog

Week 10, Term 2, 2024/2025

I hope you have all had a fantastic week. It was wonderful to see so many of you at today’s Spanish and French assembly, well done to our MFL team for putting on another fantastic showcase!

Today, we also celebrated World Sleep Day, a timely reminder of just how crucial sleep is for our children's well-being, learning, and development.

A well-rested child is more focused, engaged, and emotionally resilient. Research shows that quality sleep improves concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills, all of which are essential for a successful school day. Sleep also plays a key role in physical growth, immune function, and emotional regulation, helping children stay healthy, happy, and ready to learn.

How Much Sleep Does My Child Need?

The recommended sleep durations for children are:

2-3 years old – 10 to 14 hours (including naps)

4-5 years old – 10 to 13 hours

6-12 years old – 9 to 12 hours

Ensuring children get enough sleep is just as important as proper nutrition and regular exercise.

The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep

A full night of quality sleep helps children to:

Improve concentration and focus – Sleep boosts attention span and helps children stay engaged in learning.

Enhance memory and problem-solving skills – Well-rested children absorb and retain information more effectively.

Regulate emotions and behaviour – Sleep supports emotional well-being, reducing stress, anxiety, and mood swings.

Boost the immune system – A strong immune system helps fight off common illnesses, keeping children healthier.

Support physical growth and development – Growth hormones are primarily released during deep sleep.

Reducing Screen Time Before Bed

One of the biggest challenges in today’s digital age is screen time before bed. The blue light from devices such as tablets, phones, and televisions suppress melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder for children to fall asleep and get the rest they need.

To promote better sleep, we recommend:

No screens at least 60 minutes before bedtime – Encourage reading a book or listening to soft music instead.

Charging devices outside the bedroom – This reduces the temptation to check notifications or watch videos late at night.

Using night mode or blue light filters – If screen use is necessary, this can help reduce its impact on sleep.

At BSKL, we see firsthand the impact of a good night’s sleep on learning and behaviour. By prioritising healthy sleep habits at home, we can help our children wake up ready to thrive each day.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I wish all our families a restful and rejuvenating long weekend!

Best regards,

MR SIMON CLARKE
HEAD OF PRIMARY