Sleeping soundly helps children learn and cope with emotions - scientists
As the school year begins, experts at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) remind us: one of the keys to school success is quality sleep.
"Establishing healthy sleep habits before school starts helps children face the school year awake, focused and ready to learn," HealthDay quoted Dr Shalini Paruthi, a paediatric somnology specialist and AASM spokesperson, as saying.
According to the doctor, parents should tweak their child's routines in advance, avoiding late walks and evenings on the phone to restore a stable sleep rhythm.
According to a new AASMsurvey, 85 per cent of parents say their children have an established evening routine. However, if children don't get enough sleep, most adults notice disturbing changes in behaviour:
63% report a deterioration in mood,
50% experience discipline problems,
49% notice a negative attitude,
45% see a decrease in physical activity,
34% record a decline in academic performance.
"Sleep plays an important role in regulating a child's emotions and mental state," emphasises Paruthi. - "If you notice emotional or behavioural problems, start with a sleep analysis. Don't hesitate to contact your paediatrician for support."
The AASM recommendations state:
children 6 to 12 years old should get 9 to 12 hours of sleep per night,
teens 13 to 18 years old should get 8 to 10 hours.
Meanwhile, the survey revealed a disturbing trend: 24 per cent of parents admitted to giving their children under 18 melatonin, a supplement that regulates sleep.
AASM experts caution: melatonin use in minors has been linked to an increase in overdoses, poison centre visits and hospital admissions.
In 2022, the Academy issued a warning urging parents to consult a doctor before using the supplement.
The survey was conducted online from 5 to 13 June 2025 and involved 2007 US adults. The results have a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.
If a child has trouble falling asleep, is irritable or complains of fatigue, the first thing to do is to review his or her daily routine, doctors recommend. A full night's sleep, they say, is just as important as homework and a school bag.