The influential American Academy of Pediatrics released an important new policy statement — just in time for the start of a new school year.
Let kids snooze! To prevent student sleep deprivation, they’re recommending that the school day begin later.
Specifically, the AAP recommends an 8:30 a.m. start time for middle school and high school students. This change, the AAP says, could help stem sleep deprivation, which is the sad norm for many students across the nation.
“The research is clear that adolescents who get enough sleep have a reduced risk of being overweight or suffering depression, are less likely to be involved in automobile accidents, and have better grades, higher standardized test scores and an overall better quality of life,” Dr. Judith Owens told NBC. Owens, director of sleep medicine at Children’s National Medical Center, led the team in issuing this policy statement.
“Studies have shown that delaying early school start times is one key factor that can help adolescents get the sleep they need to grow and learn,” Owens explained.
The decision to push back start times is ultimately left up to local schools, which are not required to follow AAP policy directives. And there has been much debate on the subject. A school’s policy change must navigate demands of parents, teachers, extracurricular activities, bus schedules and potentially work schedules.
The AAP is not alone in making this recommendation. Last year U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan suggested that schools start later to give students the opportunity to sleep in.
It is recommended that teens get nine hours of sleep per night. Most, between the ages of 15 and 17, received less than seven hours of shut-eye, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Join #FOWLERNATION!! http://bit.ly/SubscribeFowlerNation
Become a Patron! http://Patreon.com/FowlerShow
3 Steps To Join #FowlerNation!
1. Subscribe To The Fowler Show:
http://bit.ly/SubscribeFowlerNation
2. ‘Like’ The Richard Fowler Show on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/RichardFowlerShow
3. ‘Follow’ Us on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/fowlershow
These Patrons make the Fowler Show possible ($20+ monthly donation on Patreon.com/FowlerShow) & we couldn’t do it without them!
Truthservers.com
Are you a fan of The Fowler Show? Become a Patron & help support independent media! Learn more here:
http://www.patreon.com/fowlershow
Want to help out but don’t have any money to donate? Donate your account & help us get our stories out on social media. Learn more here:
http://www.donateyouraccount.com/fowlershow
If you liked this clip, share it with your friends and hit that “like” button!
1,500 Subscriber Behind The Scenes Reward Video –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT9x1PvQTBU
Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes for free!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-richard-fowler-show/id510713880
@fowlershow
@richardafowler
http://www.facebook.com/richardfowlershow
http://www.fowlershow.com
http://fowlershow.tumblr.com/