How many hours of sleep do children need? And how many do they get?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, children aged 6 to 12 need between 9 and 12 hours of sleep. For teens, 8 to 10 hours of sleep is recommended. Yet many children don’t sleep enough – research indicates that over half of middle school students and 70% of high schoolers aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep each night.
There are many reasons why students struggle to go to bed early. It can be challenging to balance a schedule of studying, extracurricular activities and other responsibilities. On top of that, digital devices can be an addictive form of distraction, keeping children awake well past their bedtime.
However, a lack of sleep brings serious consequences. Memory, attention and cognition are impaired, leading to poor academic performance. The immune system becomes weaker, jeopardising physical health. And mental health also suffers – chronic sleep loss has been shown to worsen anxiety, depression and suicidal thinking.
Given these risks, we’re calling on the entire Champittet community to give sleep the time it deserves. We can all take several steps to make sure that students get enough sleep. First, establish a healthy bedtime and stick to it, day after day. Respecting the same sleeping and waking times helps to ensure sleep duration and quality – that’s why our boarding students follow the same “lights out” schedule each night. Then, aim to disconnect from all technology one hour before bedtime. Screens stimulate the brain, making it harder for children to fall asleep. Finally, choose calming activities for the end of the day, like reading, yoga or colouring. Keeping to a daily routine can help signal that it’s time to relax and get ready for bed.
All too often, our culture fails to prioritise sleep. Let’s do our best to protect this critical aspect of our students’ wellbeing!
For more information on the benefits of sleep, see this article from Nord Anglia Education: Sleep. The Key to Helping Students Flourish
Boarding at Collège Champittet offers the opportunity to enjoy exceptional adventures not only in Switzerland, but also around the globe! Recently, a group of our boarding students travelled to Oman to spend an unforgettable two weeks immersed in culture and nature.
