Most U.S. Schools Start Too Early for Kids to Get Enough Sleep: Study
Most U.S. Schools Start Too Early for Kids to Get Enough Sleep: Study
Less than 18 percent of high schools, middle schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later
Early start times also give teenagers more time in the afternoon to pursue jobs or after-school activities, and allow parents to get their kids out of the house before they leave for work, said Badr and Dr. Pushpom James, a pediatrician at Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, NY.
Parents seeking to delay the school start times in their community often face resistance, the authors pointed out. School officials argue that delaying start times will increase bus transportation costs, force students and teachers to deal with rush-hour traffic, and make it more difficult to schedule athletics and other after-school activities.
Parents who are concerned about their teens' sleep patterns can help by promoting good sleep hygiene, James said.
Parents can set and enforce a regular bed time and rise time, including on weekends. In addition, parents should pull the plug on all electronic entertainment an hour before bed time, including computers, TV, video games, tablets or smartphones, she said.
"An hour before bedtime, they shouldn't be watching TV or on their phone," James said, noting that kids who are exposed to more light in the evening are less likely to get enough sleep.
Schools Start Too Early for Kids to Sleep Enough
Less than 18 percent of high schools, middle schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later
Early start times also give teenagers more time in the afternoon to pursue jobs or after-school activities, and allow parents to get their kids out of the house before they leave for work, said Badr and Dr. Pushpom James, a pediatrician at Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, NY.
Parents seeking to delay the school start times in their community often face resistance, the authors pointed out. School officials argue that delaying start times will increase bus transportation costs, force students and teachers to deal with rush-hour traffic, and make it more difficult to schedule athletics and other after-school activities.
Parents who are concerned about their teens' sleep patterns can help by promoting good sleep hygiene, James said.
Parents can set and enforce a regular bed time and rise time, including on weekends. In addition, parents should pull the plug on all electronic entertainment an hour before bed time, including computers, TV, video games, tablets or smartphones, she said.
"An hour before bedtime, they shouldn't be watching TV or on their phone," James said, noting that kids who are exposed to more light in the evening are less likely to get enough sleep.