Can Lack of Sleep Create Big Problems for Children?
According to an article found at healthline.com titled “ Only Half of U.S. Children Get Enough Sleep: Why That’s a Serious Problem” only about half of all children in the United States get enough sleep nightly. Children need at least 9 hours of sleep each night. Experts say that not only does sleep affect school work,it can also affect obesity and long term health problems.
Some risk factors for lack of sleep include adverse home life environments, mental health, and screen time. Lack of sleep has even shown a correlation in a weakened immune response when it comes to fighting off those germs at school. Per a study performed by Duke University, sleep deprivation can actually affect the development of a child's frontal lobe (this part of the brain is responsible for decision making skills). The frontal lobe is still developing through the teen years. If the frontal lobe does not fully develop, it can lead to permanent problems such as impaired decision making, decreased memory and a shortened attention span.
Additional studies have shown that lack of sleep does not only affect brain development, it can also affect behavior, academic problems and other mental problems. Too little sleep in children has also been linked to suicidal ideation and self harm.
Sleep is kinda a big deal! The research says it all. We all could probably use a little more sleep than we get. It is especially important for our children.
