The resources below - provided by the National Sleep Foundation - will also help you learn more about teens and sleep.
Did you know a sleep diary is an effective way to track and monitor your child's sleep habits?
Download the sleep diary (PDF)>>
Have you met the Dozes yet? They're ready to teach your family about sleep.
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Home - Teens & Sleep - 2006 Sleep Poll: Key Findings
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2006 Sleep Poll: Key Findings
These are among the startling findings of the National Sleep Foundation's 2006 Sleep poll...
The national survey on the sleep patterns of adolescents (ages 11-17), finds that only 20% of adolescents get the recommended nine hours of sleep on school nights, and nearly one-half (45%) sleep less than eight hours on school nights.
The poll indicates that the consequences of insufficient sleep affect nearly every aspect of teenage life. Among the most important findings:
• At least once a week, 22% fall asleep doing homework, and 14% arrive late or miss school because they oversleep.
• More than one-half (51%) of adolescent drivers have driven drowsy during the past year.
• Among those adolescents who report being unhappy, tense and nervous, 73% feel they don't get enough sleep at night and 59% are excessively sleepy during the day.
• More than one-quarter (28%) of adolescents say they're too tired to exercise.
Here are some early warning signs for parents that a child may not be getting the sleep he/she needs:
• Do you have to wake your child for school? And, is it difficult to do so?
• Has a teacher mentioned that your child is sleepy or tired during the day?
• Do you find your child falling asleep while doing homework?
• Is your child sleeping two hours later or more on weekends than on school nights?
• Does he/she rely on a caffeinated drink in the morning to wake up? And/or drink two or more caffeinated drinks a day?
• Does he/she routinely nap for more than 45 minutes?
Parents can play a key role in helping their adolescents develop and maintain healthy sleep habits. It is important for parents and adolescents to talk about sleep - including the natural phase delay - and learn more about good sleep habits in order to manage teens' busy schedules. There are ways to make it easier for an adolescent to get more sleep and a better night's sleep:
• Set a consistent bedtime and wake-time (even on weekends) that allows for the recommended nine or more hours of sleep every night.
• Have a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading for fun or taking a warm bath or shower.
• Keep the bedroom comfortable, dark, cool and quiet.
• Get into bright light as soon as possible in the morning, but avoid it in the evening.
• Create a sleep-friendly environment by removing TVs and other distractions from the bedroom and setting limits on usage before bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine after lunchtime.
