How Much Sleep Do Kids Need?
View DetailsHow to Use Sleeptime Calculator for Kids
The kids sleepytime calculator helps get bedtime and wake up times just right.
There are three ways to use this kid sleep calculator to generate children custom bedtime duration:
- 1. Input the child's age
- 2. Input the time child need to wake up,then click "Calculate",the sleeptime calculator for kids will show you with recommended bedtimes.
- 3. Input the time child would like to go to bed,then click "Calculate",the sleeptime calculator for kids will show you with recommended wake-up times.
- 4. If child would like to go to bed right now,then click "Sleep Now", and the sleep calculator for kids will show you when to wake up.
Why Is Calculating Sleep Important For Kids?
- Kids need sleep — a lot of it. Sleep is also critical for healthy growth in children, aiding in the development of improved attention, behavior, and memory, along with supporting overall mental and physical health. In fact, starting at infancy, scientists have been able to prove that sleep contributes to memory consolidation and cognitive growth! Sleep looks a lot different for kids, too. Not only do they typically doze off earlier than adults, but they also go through a sleep cycle in just 60 minutes, versus an adult whose typical sleep cycle is 90 minutes. This difference is key: A speedy sleep cycles mean your kid will return to very light sleep every hour — stages 1 and 2 — and can be more easily disturbed throughout the night.
How Can I Tell if My Child Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep?
- A child who isn’t getting enough sleep may:
- fall asleep during the day
- be hyperactive (especially younger children)
- have trouble paying attention
- struggle with school work
- be cranky, whiny, irritable, or moody
- have behavior problems
5 Stages Of Sleep (REM And Non-REM Sleep Cycles)
View DetailsThe Sleep Cycle for Kids
- While adults go through these waves in 90 minutes, kids can speed through them in 50-60 minutes.
- Your body cycles through these stages four to five times each night. Cycles earlier in the night tend to have more NREM sleep,while later cycles have a higher proportion of REM. By the final cycle, your body may even skip NREM deep sleep entirely. Overall, your body spends more time in the NREM phases of sleep.
References
- An introduction to the importance of sleep in children and how to help them sleep better.
- Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep
- Brown, R. E., & McCarley, R. W. (2008).
- Neuroanatomical and neurochemical basis of wakefulness and REM sleep systems. In Neurochemistry of sleep and wakefulness/Eds.: JM Monty, SR Pandi-Perumal, CM Sinton (p. 23).
- Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, Alessi C, Bruni O, et al.
- The National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40–43.
- Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D’Ambrosio C, Hall WA, Kotagal S, Lloyd RM, et al.
- Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: a consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016;12(6):785–786.
- Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.
- Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society. Sleep. 2015;38(6):843–844.
- Lockett, E. (2020). The Stages of Sleep: What Happens During Each. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/stages-of-sleep
- Shakankiry H, et al.
- Sleep physiology and sleep disorders in childhood. Nat Sci Sleep. 2011; 3: 101–114. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3630965/