by Shen-Li Lee

Created on: October 25, 2009

Sleep deprivation among today's children is becoming an increasing occurrence. Major studies have revealed that children today are getting, on average, an hour less sleep a night than children 30 years ago. The causes of this missing hour are many - from an excess of activities to disproportionate amounts of homework which are then compounded by permissive bedtimes, television and mobile phones. How exactly does an hour less sleep a night affect elementary school children?

It is commonly known that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on everyone from adults to children. As adults, we are all well aware of the effects of sleep deprivation. It results in reduced concentration, inability to think straight, diminished performance in any task, and it also increases the likelihood of falling asleep, especially when performing mundane activities, such as driving a car. If we, as adults, can be affected by sleep deprivation in such a manner, it is only logical that children, for whom sleep is essential for development, would be similarly affected, if not, more so.

What was not known until fairly recently was just how much a single lost hour of sleep could impact a child, especially one in elementary school. Sleep studies performed on children are revealing that a single lost hour of sleep a night can:

- reduce academic performance

- affect emotional stability

- increase the incidence of medical conditions such as obesity and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Sleep deprivation during the formative years of a child's brain could lead to permanent changes in brain structure that cannot be reversed even with "catch-up" sleep.

1. The Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Academic Performance

A sleep deprivation study on a group of elementary students revealed that sixth graders, missing one hour of sleep a night, performed in class at the level of a fourth grader. Effectively, losing one hour of sleep a night can reduce a child's cognitive maturation and development by as much as two years. Additionally, delaying a child's bedtime by one hour over the weekend can lead to a seven point reduction in IQ scores. Even 15 minutes of sleep can mean the difference between an average grade A student and an average grade B student.

Sleep deprivation impairs a child's brain by reducing the plasticity of that child's brain cells. The brain cells are then unable to form the connections required to record memory. Therefore, children suffering from sleep deprivation are not

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