Have You Considered How Sleep Affects Your Middle Schooler?
Have you noticed your eleven to fourteen year old’s physical appearance is changing? The girls are getting taller and their breasts are more developed. The boys, on the other hand, are becoming more muscular, their bodies are changing and you may begin to notice body hair forming. These are typical growth patterns taking place in the eleven to fourteen year olds. They may become less cooperative as they attempt to adjust to the changes taking place in their bodies. These are normal growth patterns as they are progressing through one of the most critical growth periods of their lives. This generally includes children between grades six and eight or middle-schoolers.
For children of this age, their brains are growing as well. You may begin to notice your child becoming more independent and they may prefer peer interactions to those with parents. It does not mean parents are unimportant, they are just beginning to test limits. They are realizing their decisions may have longer term effects than just the present. The children eleven to fourteen years of age also realize that life issues can be viewed in different ways. Social and emotional development are happening during this same time frame.
A primary concern for your child and for you as a parent during this stage of development is the amount of sleep your child is getting each night. Because so much growth development is occurring in the child’s body, it is essential that the child get the proper amount of sleep needed. Physical, emotional, intellectual and psychological well being can be affected by lack of sleep. Dr. Michael Corcetti, M.D. M.P.H. the Chief of Pediatrics at John Hopkins University found that middle schoolers need 9-91/2 hours of sleep per night because they are going through a stage of cognitive development and maturation in the brain. Other researchers have recommended this age group get 9 to 12 hours per 24 hour period.
Few American children get the required number of hours of sleep each night. The CDC reported that 57.8% or 6 out of 10 children in grades 6-8 did not get enough sleep on school nights according to a study that represented 9 states. It is recommended children maintain the same sleep schedule on the week-end and during the summer. Maintaining consistent sleep schedules reduce student’s chances of suffering from sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation is not getting enough sleep or good quality sleep. Sleep deprivation may cause moodiness, depression, obesity, academic decline, substance abuse, as well as, overall mental decline. It is also said sleep deprivation can make children suicidal.
Children may find it difficult to fall asleep at night due to hormonal and biological changes that are occurring in their bodies. Other factors contributing to sleep deprivation may include homework, extra curricular activities, technological devices, and early school opening. Students just may be over scheduled.
To help your child with his scheduling, discuss what he might do to extend the number of hours needed to help get the required number of hours of sleep. It is recommended the bedroom be used for sleep only. The bedroom should be cool and completely dark. Any form of technology should be off limits in the bedroom. Use of technology of any kind is recommended to stop one hour prior to bed time. This allows your child to wind down and relax in preparation for sleep.
Your child’s eating and drinking habits may also interfere with their ability to sleep. All food consumption should cease two hours prior to bed time. This allows the food to digest properly before bed time. It is recommended that children eat healthy snacks and foods to aid in their growth and mental alertness. Drinks containing caffeine and sugary snacks should be off limits especially near bed time.
Sleep is a necessary function for all our lives. Helping your child see the benefits of getting a full restful night’s sleep could be the missing link to becoming a success in many areas of your child’s life. Children who do not get the suggested hours of sleep (9-12 hours) tend to have serious threats to their health, safety and academic success. Researchers point out the lack of sleep can cause moodiness, the inability to exercise self-control and may also cause children to take more risk.
Included in the following are articles with suggestions of what you as a parent might do to help your middle-schooler get the 9-12 suggested hours of sleep each night. You could be helping your child have a more successful future by getting the proper sleep they need now.
Parents Click Below for Suggestions on how you might help your child get the sleep needed:
Teenagers and Sleep: How Much Sleep Is Enough?
YoungTeens(12-14years of age)
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/child-development/young-teens