Good Sleep = Good Grades

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 10-Apr-2008 edition

 

GOOD SLEEP = GOOD GRADES

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Most kids will tell you that school starts when the bell rings

in the morning. But research says it actually starts the night

before, when their heads hit the pillow.

 

You wouldn’t want your child going to school without his

homework, would you? Well, allowing him to go without

a good night’s sleep isn’t much different. Both are important

for a good education.

 

A recent study shows a direct link between sleep and

concentration. When children are tired, they have

higher levels of a hormone called cortisol in their system.

This causes increased blood pressure and stress and actually

weakens the child’s ability to think. It also affects the

immune system.

 

In the study, kids who went to bed before 9pm were able to

complete tasks much easier and better than children who

stayed up later. So, one of the keys to a better education

is an earlier bedtime. Even if your child says he’s not tired.