“Sleepless In America”      

      The lack of sleep is “a silent epidemic, mysteriously taking its toll not only on the children, but on their entire families as well.” So writes Mary Sheedy Kurcinka in her book, Sleepless in America: Practical Strategies To Help Your Family Get the Sleep It Deserves.   At the CommonGround Lecture at Chapin School on April 8, 2008, Kurcinka provided a fascinating and compelling look at sleeplessness in America. 

      As adults, we know all about sleeplessness and its impact on our emotions, social interactions and job performance.  However, we may not have considered thoughtfully the effects of lack of sleep on our children.

      Based on the research, Kurcinka suggests that sleep deprivation impacts our children in four main areas. We have all seen the signs:

Emotions

•     Loses it over “little things”

•     Easily frustrated – nothing is right

•     Becomes more upset by changes in routine or surprises

•     Irritable and cranky – difficult to calm

•     Experiences stomachaches or headaches

•     Easily overwhelmed

•     Anxious

The Body

•     Clumsy, experiences more accidents, falls and injuries

•     Frenzied hyper activity – wild at bed/nap time

•     Hits, throws things or yells

•     Has to be woken in the morning

•     Gets sick more frequently

•     Craves carbohydrates or sugar

•     Lethargic – can’t do what capable of doing

Attention, Focus and Performance*

•     Seeks stimulation – picks on others or pets, especially late afternoon

•     Needs more attention and help to stay on task

•     Has difficulty making decisions

•     Doesn’t listen

•     Has more difficulty performing at peak level or resists performing altogether

•     Talks excessively

•     Forgets things  

Social Situations

•     Feelings easily hurt

•     Has difficult being patient

•     Is bossy and demanding – wants to debate

•     Loses it if told “no”

•     Difficulty talking things through or solving problems

•     Irritated by others – especially late afternoon

•     The “tone” that drives you wild creeps into his voice

      In addition to alerting us to the tell-tale signs of sleeplessness, Kurcinka summarizes the research showing the breadth and depth of outcomes that result from getting more sleep:

•     Have higher grade averages

•     Perform better on reasoning and mathematical skills

•     Have higher reading skills

•     Have fewer accidents

•     Get along better with others

•     Focus attention more effectively

•     Get sick less frequently

•     Experience fewer cavities and less gum disease

•     Are less likely to be over weight

      By now, I hope that you are convinced of the importance of sleep for your children.  So, how much do they need? Kurcinka suggests the following guidelines:

•     Infants – 14-18 hours

•     Toddlers – 11 hours plus a two-hour nap

•     Preschoolers – 11-12 hours a night

•     School age – 10-11 hours a night

•     Adolescent – 9.25 hours a night

•     Adults – 8.25 hours a night

      But how do you ensure that your children get enough sleep?  What about the child who fights going to bed every night?  Kurcinka’s book is filled with suggestions about getting your child to bed and ensuring that he/she sleeps soundly.  If sleep is an issue in your home, I highly recommend her book.

       Sleeplessness in America paints a convincing and powerful case for efforts to make a good night’s sleep a priority.  The evidence is clear, our children need their sleep to perform well as students, children and friends.