As families prepare for the return to school, adjusting from a relaxed summer schedule to earlier mornings can be challenging. Health experts say one of the most important factors in helping children succeed in the classroom is often overlooked: getting enough quality sleep.
'Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect a child's attention, behavior, mood, academic performance and overall health,' said Jordan Haake, APRN, of Gothenburg Health. 'With technology becoming such a large part of children's daily lives, screen use, particularly in the evening, can be a significant barrier to getting adequate, quality sleep.'
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, school-age children ages 6 to 12 should regularly sleep nine to 12 hours per night, while teenagers ages 13 to …