Pastoral Wellbeing 

Positive Behaviours Intervention and Support (P.B.i.S)

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is crucial for the development of young minds, and it impacts alertness, attention, cognitive performance, mood, resiliency, vocabulary acquisition, and learning and memory. Sleep helps to restore physical and mental health and keep our memory and immune system on track. Children who do not get enough sleep may not be able to learn as well as their school friends who get enough sleep. Poor sleep is linked to mental health problems, poor growth and reduced school performance.

Good quality sleep allows the body to rest and helps with various physical and emotional processes, from immunity to concentration, emotional wellbeing and brain function.

How much sleep does my child or teen need?

Every child needs a different amount of sleep, which changes as they age.

As a guide:

• Children aged 5 to 13 years old need 9 to 11 hours
• Children aged 14 to 17 years old need 8 to 10 hours.

Between academic, social, and extracurricular obligations, school-age children often have busy schedules that can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Wherever possible, try to follow a consistent schedule and a wind-down period before bed. To strengthen the association between the bedroom and sleep, have them do homework or other activities in another room where possible.