
Sleep is important for children's mental and physical development. When we sleep, our bodies recharge and retain the information we've learned during the day. Children aged 5 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, though some may need more or less depending on their genetic and physiological needs. Without enough sleep, children can feel moody, tired, or cranky, and it may be hard for them to pay attention or follow directions. Sleep also affects growth and the immune system, which keeps us from getting sick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of sleep needed | 9 to 12 hours each night |
| Effects of not getting enough sleep | Feeling moody, tired, or cranky |
| Hard to pay attention or follow directions | |
| School work may feel impossible | |
| May feel clumsy playing sports or instruments | |
| May not grow as well | |
| May affect the immune system | |
| Tips for getting enough sleep | Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day |
| Don't exercise just before going to bed | |
| Use your bed just for sleeping |
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What You'll Learn

How much sleep do kids need?
Sleep is necessary for survival. Sleep gives your body a rest and allows it to prepare for the next day. It's like giving your body a mini-vacation. Sleep also gives your brain a chance to sort things out. Scientists think that sleep might be the time when the brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.
Kids 5 to 12 years old need 9 to 12 hours each night. Not every kid is the same and some kids need more sleep than others. Without enough sleep, kids can feel moody, tired, or cranky. It might be hard to pay attention or follow directions. School work that's normally easy may feel impossible, or you may feel clumsy playing your favourite sport or instrument.
- Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
- Don't exercise just before going to bed. Do exercise earlier in the day — it helps a person sleep better.
- Use your bed just for sleeping — not doing homework, reading, playing games, or talking on the phone. That way, you'll train your body to connect your bed with sleep.
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What happens when kids don't get enough sleep?
Sleep is necessary for survival, and gives the body a rest, allowing it to prepare for the next day. It is also when the brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.
Kids aged 5 to 12 years old need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, although some kids may need more sleep than others. When kids don't get enough sleep, they can feel moody, tired, or cranky. They may find it hard to pay attention or follow directions, and school work that's usually easy may feel impossible. They may also feel clumsy when playing sports or musical instruments.
In addition, not getting enough sleep can affect growth and the immune system, which keeps kids from getting sick. It is therefore important for kids to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, and to use their bed just for sleeping, so that their body connects their bed with sleep.
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How does sleep affect growth?
Sleep is necessary for survival. It gives your body a rest and allows it to prepare for the next day. Sleep gives your brain a chance to sort things out, and scientists believe that this is when the brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.
Sleep is especially important for kids, who need 9 to 12 hours each night. If they don't get enough sleep, kids can feel moody, tired, or cranky, and it might be hard for them to pay attention or follow directions. Not getting enough sleep can also affect their growth and their immune system, which keeps them from getting sick.
Although scientists are not exactly sure what kinds of organising the brain does while we sleep, they think that sleep might be the time when the brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems. This is important for kids, who are constantly learning and developing.
Getting enough sleep is also important for the body's growth. Sleep gives the body a chance to rest and repair itself, and this is when the body produces growth hormones. Without enough sleep, the body may not produce enough of these hormones, which can affect growth.
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How does sleep affect the immune system?
Sleep is necessary for survival, just like eating. Sleep gives your body a rest and allows it to prepare for the next day. It's like giving your body a mini-vacation. Sleep also gives your brain a chance to sort things out. Scientists think that sleep might be the time when the brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.
Not getting enough sleep can make kids feel moody, tired, or cranky. It might be hard to pay attention or follow directions. School work that's normally easy may feel impossible, or you may feel clumsy playing your favourite sport or instrument.
Sleep also affects the immune system. If you don't get enough sleep, you might get sick more often because your body's germ-fighting immune system doesn't work as well. This is why it's important to get a good night's sleep every night. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Don't exercise just before going to bed. Do exercise earlier in the day—it will help you sleep better.
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Tips for getting a good night's sleep
Sleep is necessary for survival. Sleep gives your body a rest and allows it to prepare for the next day. It's like giving your body a mini-vacation. Sleep also gives your brain a chance to sort things out. Scientists think that sleep might be the time when the brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.
Kids who don't get enough sleep can feel moody, tired, or cranky. It might be hard for them to pay attention or follow directions. School work that may usually be easy might feel impossible, or they may feel clumsy playing their favourite sport or instrument.
- Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
- Don't exercise just before going to bed. Do exercise earlier in the day — it helps a person sleep better.
- Use your bed just for sleeping — not doing homework, reading, playing games, or talking on the phone. That way, you'll train your body to connect your bed with sleep.
- If you have a hard time falling asleep for more than one or two nights or have worries that are keeping you from sleeping, tell your mom or dad. They can help you solve your sleep problems. In fact, just talking about it with them could help you relax just enough that you'll be ready to sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep is when your body rests and your brain sorts things out. Scientists think that sleep is when your brain sorts and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.
Sleep is necessary for survival. Without enough sleep, kids can feel moody, tired, or cranky. It might be hard to pay attention or follow directions. School work that's normally easy may feel impossible, or you may feel clumsy playing your favourite sport or instrument. Sleep is also important for growth and your immune system.
Kids aged 5 to 12 years old need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. However, not every kid is the same and some kids need more sleep than others.










































