Research: The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a new recommendation for later start times in schools. They conclude that early start times are key contributors to insufficient sleep, especially among middle and high school students. Chronic sleep loss can increase indices of obesity, depression, and automobile accidents within this population. Just as significantly, it makes it harder to learn. Sleep boosts memory, attentiveness, and ultimately, student performance.

Practice: We want our students to perform their best, so unless they ask us for early classes, we tend to start their schedules after 9am. As parents we can promote good sleeping habits by helping them establish restful bedtime routines, removing their phones and computers at a reasonable time so they are able to rest without the pressure to respond to texts, and letting them sleep in when their bodies need it.