Buzz this story.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
For parents it can seem like children are born with an inherent instinct to rail against the arrival of bedtime. But getting kids to go to bed early following summer break - to get them back into the school routine - sometimes veers on the impossible. Studies show, however, that the kids who get the most sleep are the kids that get the best grades says Michael Smolensky, Ph.D., professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston.
A sleep study of more than 3,100 students at four Massachusetts public high schools further advanced scientists understanding of the correlation between success and sleep. "The top students, the ones earning mainly A's and B's, went to bed earlier on both weeknights and weekends than those who received C's, D's and F's. The high achievers slept about 25 minutes longer on school nights than did the low achievers," Smolensky wrote in the book, "The Body Clock, Guide to Better Health" (Henry Holt and Co., 2000).
Sleep is so important that many leading researchers are arguing for changes in school policy to meet kids' needs.
"I would advocate for later start times for school," says Richard Castriotta, M.D., medical director of the Memorial Hermann Hospital - Texas Medical Center Sleep Disorder Center. "There are children and adolescents in first period class who otherwise would be at home in deep sleep."
Here are 11 tips parents can use to get their young scholars back on successful sleep schedules for the 2008-2009 school year:
1. Start early. Don't wait until school starts to modify your child's sleep routine. It's a good idea to re-establish bed times well before the first bell rings.
2. Make incremental changes. Inch wake up times by 15 minutes or so until you reach the ideal time for your child's particular school district.
3. Discourage daytime naps. It's hard to get a good night's sleep with a two- or three-hour nap. Try to limit naps to 20 minutes or so.
4. Encourage early exercise. Exercise helps children burn off steam during the day; however at night, it can keep children up, so discourage exercise in the evening.
5. Try to stick to a regular family breakfast and dinner time. Meals help anchor your child's day. Be sure children have a proper and healthy breakfast because children, especially adolescents, who go to sleep too late, are unable to wake up early enough to eat breakfast. This further compromises school performance in morning classes.
6. Limit bedtime television viewing. One study found that one fourth of nearly 500 children from kindergarten through fourth-grade in three middle class suburban schools had a TV set in their bedroom.
7. Create a restful environment. Your child's room should be dark, quiet and comfortable.
8. Snack if hungry. Avoid eating a large meal before bedtime. However, a light and healthy snack is OK.
9. Talk about sleep issues. The inability to sleep could be a sign of a bigger issue such as problems with bullies or stress over a new school and new classmates or even a sleep disorder.
10. Be a good role model. Parents should go to sleep and get up at a reasonable time, too.
11. Avoid excessive caffeine consumption from energy drinks, soda and coffee.
Buzz this story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Th
Dec 4
|
Fr
Dec 5 |
Sa
Dec 6 |
Su
Dec 7 |
Mo
Dec 8 |
Restaurants & Food
Green
today's poll
express headlines
Promotions
photo GALLERY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
email this
print this
