The American Academy of Sleep Medicine highlights the importance of healthy sleep for academic and physical development during Student Sleep Health Week.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Digital Distractions: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) survey found that parents identify video games (51%) and social media (44%) as the leading activities disrupting sleep routines for school-aged children and adolescents.
- Sleep Duration Guidelines: The AASM recommends that children aged 6 to 12 obtain nine to 12 hours of sleep nightly, while teenagers aged 13 to 18 should receive eight to 10 hours each night to support optimal physical and cognitive function.
- Awareness Initiative: The seventh annual Student Sleep Health Week, held Sept 14-18 under the theme “Sleep is Your Superpower,” emphasizes the essential link between healthy sleep habits, student well-being, and academic success.
To highlight the critical role healthy sleep plays in student learning, health, and well-being, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is hosting its seventh annual Student Sleep Health Week from Sept 14 to 18, according to the organization. This year’s campaign, centered on the theme “Sleep is Your Superpower,” focuses on how quality sleep provides children and adolescents with the energy necessary to succeed each day.
“Kids cannot perform their best physically, mentally, or emotionally without getting the right amount of healthy sleep,” said Dr Anuja Bandyopadhyay, pediatric sleep physician and spokesperson for the AASM, in a news release. “It’s important that consistent healthy sleep habits are established among students of all ages to help them stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout school and extracurriculars.”
Survey Highlights Nighttime Distractions
While sleep serves as a vital foundation for pediatric healthcare and development, full schedules and electronic media frequently interfere with rest. According to findings from an AASM survey of adults in the US, parents reported that screen use poses the greatest threat to sleep schedules, led by video games (51%) and social media (44%).
The survey indicated that other activities competing for students’ time include homework (36%), socializing with friends (22%), clubs, sports, and other activities (20%), and afterschool jobs (13%).
“Between screens, homework, activities, and social commitments, there are many things competing with sleep for a student’s time,” said Dr Anuja Bandyopadhyay, pediatric sleep physician. “Parents can help by setting consistent boundaries around bedtime, including limiting screen use, planning ahead for homework and activities, and establishing a regular routine that gives children and teens enough time to get the healthy sleep they need.”
According to clinical recommendations from the AASM, children between 6 and 12 years of age should receive nine to 12 hours of sleep each night, whereas adolescents between 13 and 18 years require eight to 10 hours nightly. The organization also provides digital tools, such as an online bedtime calculator, to assist families in calculating appropriate bedtimes based on wake times and age.
