Wellbeing

Supporting Student Wellbeing: 

Screen Time and Sleep

Towards the end of last term, our students participated in the national Resilient Youth Survey. This valuable tool gives us insight into how our young people are feeling, coping, and connecting at school and beyond. We are currently analysing the results to better understand the strengths and areas of concern                                                                                    for our school community.

Two key issues that emerged from the survey data were excessive screen time and insufficient sleep—both of which have a significant impact on students’ wellbeing, learning and overall development.

As parents and carers, your support at home can make a meaningful difference. Here’s how these factors affect children and what you can do to help:

Sleep and Learning 

Did you know that a good night’s sleep is just as important for learning as time in the classroom?

Sleep helps children:

• Focus and concentrate during the school day
• Retain new information and strengthen memory
• Regulate emotions and behaviour
• Grow and stay healthy

Children who are well-rested are more engaged, resilient, and ready to learn. School-aged children generally need between 9–11 hours of sleep per night. To improve sleep quality, try to keep a regular bedtime, switch off screens at least 30 minutes before bed, and create a calm bedtime routine to help your child wind down.

Why Limiting Screen Time Matters for Children’s Wellbeing

In today’s digital world, screens are everywhere—from TVs and tablets to smartphones and computers. While technology can be an incredible learning tool and a source of fun, it’s important to strike a                                                                                       healthy balance when it comes to screen time.

Why limit screen time?

Too much screen time can affect children in several ways:

• Sleep Disruption: The blue light from screens can interfere with the body’s natural sleep rhythms, making it harder for children to fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Reduced Physical Activity: Time spent in front of a screen is often time not spent moving. Active play is vital for healthy growth, coordination, and emotional regulation.

• Impact on Social and Emotional Development: Children learn social skills by interacting with others. Excessive screen use can reduce opportunities for face-to-face connection, problem-solving, and building empathy.

• Concentration and Behaviour: High screen exposure, especially to fast-paced or overstimulating content, can affect a child’s ability to focus and manage their emotions.

What’s a healthy balance?

The Australian Department of Health recommends:

• Children aged 2–5 years: No more than 1 hour of screen time per day.

• Children aged 5–17 years: No more than 2 hours of recreational screen time per day, not including schoolwork.

Tips to help limit screen time at home:

• Set clear routines and screen-free times (e.g. before bed or during meals).

• Create screen-free zones, such as bedrooms and dinner tables.

• Encourage outdoor play, creative activities, and family games.

• Be a role model—show balance in your own use of technology.

• Use parental controls where needed, and choose high-quality, age-appropriate content when screens are used.

By helping children form healthy screen habits now, we’re setting them up for better focus, stronger relationships, and overall wellbeing in the future.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting your child’s wellbeing, both at school and at home. Together, we can help our students develop the healthy habits they need to thrive.