Kids Need More Sleep, Survey Says
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DAJ/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A survey of more than 1,100 parents shows children aren’t getting the sleep they need.
According to the survey, funded by the National Sleep Foundation, children in the 6-10 age range appear to be getting only 85 percent of what they need, and 15-17 year olds get 78 percent of their needed shut-eye. Poor “sleep hygiene” is among the many reasons for this drowsy trend: three in four children between 6 and 17 have at least one electronic device in their bedroom, and these children were twice as likely to have a parent with a similar device in his or her room. This amounts to, on average, one hour less sleep than their peers with a barren bedroom.
Limiting caffeine use, powering down those devices and imploring parents to be their child’s role model are among the series of recommendations researchers give for a better night’s sleep.
So how much sleep do our children need? According to the sleep scientists, 6-to 10-year-olds should get 10 to 11 hours. After age 10, nine hours are best.
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