SLEEP

Introduction

Feeling rested in the morning is important to doing your best in whatever you do, including school activities, sports, and other extracurricular activities. A good nights sleep will also improve family relationships and friendships. Children require at least 9 hours of restful sleep each night to establish a good night's sleep as a lifelong habit. Adequate sleep is associated with good health and performance.

Getting enough sleep is as important to good health as diet and exercise. Sleep allows the body to rejuvenate and repair itself from daily wear and tear. It reduces stress, increases productivity and improves mental functioning. This is especially true for growing children. Some researches feel that not getting enough sleep (sleep deprivation) is responsible for many of the behavior and learning problems seen in children. Make sure your child is getting adequate rest for best school performance. Most experts agree on the following estimates for sleep requirements based on age:

 PERSON

 AGE

 HOURS

 Infants/Babies *

 0 - 2 months

 10.5 - 18.5 hours
 

 2 - 12 months

 14 - 15 hours

 Toddlers/Children *

 12 - 18 months

 13 - 15 hours
 

 18 months- 3 years

 12 - 14 hours
 

 3 - 5 years

 11 - 13 hours
 

 5-12 years

 9 - 11 hours

 Adolescents

 13-19 years

 8.5-9.5 hours

 Adults/Older Persons

 20 plus years

 7 - 9 hours

*Total time includes naps

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

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