WASHINGTON – It turns out a child’s bedtime makes a big difference in how he performs in the classroom, according to a new study.
A study of 11,000 kids monitored at ages 3, 5 and 7 found that those who had irregular bedtimes scored lower on cognitive tests.
The effect was cumulative, researchers at the University College London found, according to a Yahoo! Health report.
The study found girls who didn’t go to bed at a consistent time scored lower in all tests. Boys reported lower scores when they had irregular sleep times during certain ages.
In the study, the kids had to read a series of words on cards, complete number-based tasks and replicate design patterns.
The amount of sleep each kid needs varies from child to child, the report says.
However, the National Sleep Foundation makes these recommendations:
- Newborn babies – 12 to 18 hours of sleep;
- 1- to 3-year-olds – 12 to 14 hours of sleep;
- Preschoolers – 11 to 13 hours of sleep;
- 5- to 10-year-olds – 10 to 11 hours of sleep;
- Teens – 8.5 to 9.25 hours of sleep.
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- Smartphone apps that help you get a good night’s sleep
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- Prepping kids for back-to-school sleep cycles
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