Sleep and child: impact of the lack of sleep in the daily life

The yawning and drowsiness are not the only signs indicating that a student is not sleeping enough. The research highlighted other symptoms such as hyperactivity, the bad mood, impulsiveness and a capacity of concentration limited. The loss of sleep has also less obvious effects on health, the emotions, the academic success and the ability to drive a car. In the long term, these effects have harmful consequences at school but also on a healthy lifestyle and on the development of skills outside the school.

The sleep and school

sleep has beneficial effects on our health, our emotions, our memory and our academic potential. However, a quantity of inadequate sleep can have a negative impact on our well-being, our decisions and our attention, all of which are necessary to succeed in school.

The primary school and the beginning of secondary school have been identified as important periods which allow to influence and to establish healthy habits among children. The sleep has critical and vital impact on the health and performance of students, it is important to encourage good habits in our homes, our communities and particularly in our schools during this period.

As a society we are sleeping less and less. Research shows that one Canadian in four has lack of sleep, and 60 to 70 percent of Canadian students have often sleep during the classes in the morning. The children of school age go to bed later and nearly half of Canadian teenagers were reported to have had, at least occasionally, difficulties to fall asleep or to stay asleep.

The sleep problems have become common and hinder the ability of students to shine in the school. It is estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of young children have sleep problems and that on nearly two million Canadians aged 14 to 18 years, almost half suffer from a serious lack of sleep. In addition, nearly 13 percent of adolescents suffer from serious insomnia. The loss of sleep during the days of the week, combined with bad habits causes difficulties that occur themselves at school during the week.

Reducing the time of sleep can disrupt the ability of students to concentrate long and to retain what they learn in classroom. Research shows that children who sleep less long are more likely to experience difficulties in terms of verbal creativity, resolution of problems, which inhibits their behavior and usually reduces their test notes.

The consequences on school performance are obvious. Up to 24 percent of students reported that their notes had fallen because of their drowsiness. In addition, a study has shown that pupils who got the notes C, D or E slept on average 25 to 30 minutes less per night than their classmates who were getting A and B.

Sleep and sociocultural environment

Just as it is necessary to get good food and exercise, the patterns related to the sleep must also be part of this balance. This requires to make our needs in sleep as a priority within the contexts of school, family and community. Sleep is an important factor to have a physical, mental and emotional performance. When we deprive ourselves of sleep to study or develop a competence, in reality we are winding down the capacity of our mind to absorb the information that we wish to retain later or the ability of our body to develop as we would like.

Another factor to be taken into account in respect of the activities practiced at night is the way in which the latter stimulate a child. Although a physical activity performed in the day is beneficial for the sleep, our body needs time to cool down after an exercise. In the same way, our spirit needs time to regain a balance after the activities that require an intense concentration. In addition, the stress related to the achievement of good results, whether as a part of an organized activity or in a social context, can prevent us from falling asleep easily if it occurs too close to the Time of sunset.

The duties

The duties can have three types of impact on a child sleep. First, the time spent to finish a duty may encroach on the time that should be spent in sleep. Secondly, the work done too shortly before bedtime may prevent a child from falling asleep because of the stimulation caused. Finally, if the child does his homework on or to the side of his bed, he may associate this area at work or stress and not be able to fall asleep easily.

The entertainment and technology at home

Watch TV, movies or play video games shortly before bedtime can contribute to a loss of sleep. Although we may feel and have calm when we had engaged in this type of entertainment, our spirit is energized. If we do not have enough time to calm us before going to bed, it may be difficult to fall asleep. In addition, the children watching inappropriate content to their age may have difficulties to fall asleep since the latter may increase their anxiety or scare them. Such content may also make them to have more nightmares during the night.

The food habits

take a big meal just before going to bed may cause sleep difficulties . On the other hand, go to bed on an empty stomach can have the same effect; it is therefore necessary to find a balance.

Caffeine

caffeine is a stimulant that is found in many foods such as chocolate, chocolate milk, tea, ice tea, soft drinks, coffee, some herbal medicines and several medicines pain relievers or against the common cold sold without prescription. The caffeine may help us to operate during the day, but it can also cause sleep problems at night.

Tobacco and alcohol

Although alcohol can give us the impression we fall asleep more easily at the beginning, it acts as a stimulant to measure as it is digested, what can we wake up several times during the night and intensify or create of sleep disorders. Similarly, smoking can aggravate several sleep disorders and cause others such as restless legs syndrome and sleep disordered breathing.

See also:

Sleep and health among children
Sleep and Driving