Why later school start

There's homework. There's extracurricular activities. Some kids when they are older, they have after-school jobs, and then don't forget the use of technology. Kids will stay up and play on their smartphones or their tablets or the computer way past their bedtime.

Pediatricians should recommend to parents and teens that they have healthy sleep habits, including enforcing a media curfew as to when to turn all those electronics off.

Evidence strongly suggests that a too early start to the school day is a critical contributor to chronic sleep deprivation. Napping and extending sleep on the weekends and using caffeine can temporarily counteract the sleepiness, but they do not restore the body's optimal alertness, and they are not a substitute for good sleep.

As pediatricians, we in the American Academy of Pediatrics have gotten involved with this effort. By advocating for later school start times for middle and high school students, the American Academy of Pediatrics is promoting the compelling scientific evidence that supports schools' start times be delayed as an important public health measure. We also are trying to provide support and encouragement to the school districts around the country who are thinking about making that change.

As parents, you too can talk to your schools and get them to understand what your teen needs in terms of start times and help your child get the best education they can.

Announcer: Thescoperadio. Countless studies have shown that early school start times are associated with students getting less sleep, which negatively affects student academic performance. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. A lack of sleep also has long-term physical and mental health consequences. Poor quantity and quality of sleep can lead to health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

Later school start times support the biological needs of adolescents; they increase the amount of sleep adolescents get. Other benefits of later start times include:. While there are numerous benefits of later school start times, there are a few possible negative outcomes:. Eric Suni has over a decade of experience as a science writer and was previously an information specialist for the National Cancer Institute.

She specializes in helping parents establish healthy sleep habits for children. With less rigid schedules during summer break, kids tend to face sleep disruptions. Help your kids avoid summer sleep troubles….

Terminology about sleep can be confusing. Our sleep dictionary clearly explains common sleep terms so that you can better understand…. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies.

It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The Sleep Foundation editorial team is dedicated to providing content that meets the highest standards for accuracy and objectivity. Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias. Updated February 5, Written by Eric Suni. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nilong Vyas.

Related Reading. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us. Was this article helpful? Yes No. Nilong Vyas Pediatrician MD. This is recommended for everyone— children, adolescents, and adults alike.

Adolescents with parent-set bedtimes usually get more sleep than those whose parents do not set bedtimes. Dim the lighting. Adolescents who are exposed to more light such as room lighting or from electronics in the evening are less likely to get enough sleep. Technology use computers, video gaming, or mobile phones may also contribute to late bedtimes. Parents should consider banning technology use after a certain time or removing these technologies from the bedroom.

Contact local school officials about later school start times. Some commonly mentioned barriers to keep in mind are potential increases in transportation costs and scheduling difficulties. Health care professionals Educate adolescent patients and their parents about the importance of adequate sleep and factors that contribute to insufficient sleep among adolescents.

School officials Learn more about the research connecting sleep and school start times. Good sleep hygiene in combination with later school times will enable adolescents to be healthier and better academic achievers. More Information. Sleep, circadian rhythms, and delayed phase in adolescence. Sleep Med.