LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A psychologist at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center says poor sleep affects more than how tired a child feels the next day.<\/p>\n
Dr. Natalie Scanlon, assistant professor of psychiatry at TTUHSC, said summer often disrupts children\u2019s sleep schedules.<\/p>\n
\u201cSleep is one of the foundational things that is needed not only for physical health but for mental health,\u201d Scanlon said. \u201cAnd so often times what we have seen happen over the summer is kids\u2019 sleep schedules get a little bit wonky to the point that they can even reverse themselves. So, kids are staying up all night and then sleeping during the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sleep needs for children<\/p>\n
Scanlon said children need between 8 and 12 hours of sleep a night.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd ideally, that sleep should be sound and REM and deep and consistent sleep,\u201d Scanlon said. \u201cAnd without it, the brain just doesn\u2019t have an opportunity to declutter at night, clear out the clutter, and recharge itself for all of the learning and doing that happens the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scanlon said lost sleep can also affect a child\u2019s mental health long-term.<\/p>\n
Advice for parents<\/p>\n
Scanlon said parents should validate that a difficult night affects the whole family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s helpful to blame the parents or blame the child, but my advice to parents would be validate that it was a difficult night for everybody right?\u201d Scanlon said. \u201cIt was a difficult night for the kid, for the parents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scanlon recommends creating a plan for the following night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen saying something like, it\u2019s going to be really important for us to work together tonight for you to fall asleep and hopefully stay asleep so that tomorrow can be better,\u201d Scanlon said. \u201cAnd so coming up with that actionable plan for the next day is probably the most helpful thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
A sleep epidemic<\/p>\n
Scanlon said the U.S. is facing a sleep epidemic. She pointed to children\u2019s access to smartphones and laptops, poor eating habits and high-caffeine drinks as factors making it harder to wind down.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect a lot of kids during the day, right?\u201d Scanlon said. \u201cWe expect them to be at school for nearly the equivalent of an adult workday. We expect them to socialize and move their bodies and learn new things and apply those concepts. And so sleep is one of the biggest things we need to set them up for success with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scanlon said a consistent bedtime, less screen time and a calm routine before bed can help kids catch up on sleep and be ready to learn in the classroom.<\/p>\n
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