HOUSTON — It's the million-dollar question. How are your kids adjusting to school and the new schedules?
We spoke with physicians about why it is so important for your child to get a good night's rest.
Our kiddos are back in the classroom, which also means they are back to waking up early.
"I think it's important to remember that the quality of sleep and quantity are both important, said
Neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with UT Physicians Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula says that's especially true for children.
"It's because your brain is growing and this is the time where you assimilate new facts," she said. "You build a hard drive of memories and you build on those memories lifelong.
It turns out sleep isn't only great at developing children's brains. It's great for their bodies, too.
"It's also the time when growth hormone is secreted," said Dr. Tallavajhula. "So for many of our student-athletes out there, for example, they're trying to grow taller. They're trying to build muscle. This is the time that they can capitulate on. This is their wild card to help increase their performance and productivity."
If your child has been staying up extra late this summer break, you're probably wondering what's the best way to get them back on track. Well, Dr. Tallavajhula says the first step is committing to the process. Next, start moving up bed and wake time.
"It is easier to do it if you do it in 15 to 20-minute slots and move sleep up as blocks instead of trying to raise up just asleep time. You also have to raise up the waking time. So it's an advancement of both together."
She recommends moving those time slots earlier every two to three days. Dr. Tallavajhula adds once your kids are in a good sleep schedule, the best way to keep them there is to model good sleep behavior yourself and make winding down before bedtime a family routine.
"If you do not put down your devices and we don't as parents give sleep the importance it deserves, the children are just not going to listen to us," she said.
And finally, if you're wondering how much sleep your kiddo should be getting, Dr. Tallavajhula Jula says children ages six to 12 do best when they get between nine to 10 hours of sleep. For adolescents and teens, it's eight to nine hours of sleep.
UT Physicians is a sponsor of Health Matters on KHOU 11