BSC examines schooltime sleep routines

The Better Sleep Council conducted a survey that looked at the sleep routines of families with school-age children. Of 2,500 parents surveyed, 90% had children in grade school. Eighty-three percent of households were dual parent and among those, 40% of parents said they share responsibility for waking their children up for school.

Parents said their children’s school start times have changed in recent years–47% said their children are starting school later, after 8:00 a.m. According to parents, later start times are seen as helpful because children can sleep in and be more rested for school.

When asked about waking children up on school mornings, 32% of parents said it is quite a battle. Many parents also reported that their family’s sleep routines differ widely during the school year as compared with the summer months. About 84% of parents make sure to follow a sleep routine each night during the during the school year, to ensure their children get the rest they need. But, during summer breaks, just 47% of families continue the same sleep routines.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children in grade school need 10 hours of sleep per night, but, a whopping 62% of parents surveyed report that their children do not get the required amount of sleep. Despite that fact, 53% of parents strongly agreed that inadequate rest significantly affects their children’s ability to learn, and just 9% believe sleep quantity has no impact.