Lack of Sleep among S'pore Kids - pls share your views

[Alex001]

I am able to understand as I’m twelve. Indeed, whenever I try to sleep, there would be this headache and energy remaining in my body that even if I shut my eyes and try to sleep, I would feel so restless and roll around the bed.


Some ways I curb this is by:

*Taking a hot shower. I believe the heat from the water would regulate the blood vessels and thus ensure a more comfortable body.
*Decreasing air-conditioning temperature. I understand that this may be energy-wasting however cool air makes me feel sleepy.
*Do not let your child play any electronic games at night. Electronic games would increase a child’s energy and he/she, wanting to finish the game/continue playing, would twist and turn, his mind locked in combat as to whether he should play and defy his parents’ orders or try to sleep which is like torture.

Those are all the helpful tips I could provide. As long as you don’t let your child’s television show/book/video game end on a cliffhanger, then your child would have better chances of a good night’s sleep.

[snowman.022851697]

Just to add on - doing relaxing stuff, say, reading a book, or watching some television program (make sure you FINISH it), lastly dont count sheep or cows or goats or ants or bacteria or humans or whatever, there’s no scientific proof that it helps. I’ve triedit myself and it just kept me awake for 1.25 more hours. -.-

[ExpatMom]

My kid goes to bed at 8:30pm and wakes up at 6am. It works relatively well, although it is hard for him to wake up when the sun is not up, no matter how early he goes to bed.

[Alex001]

Chenonceau:

My son in primary school is in bed by 8.30. All homework done. My daughter (now in JC) also was able to do that in primary school.


Come secondary school, it is terribly difficult to do that. Sleeping 3hrs a night is frequent. Things got so bad that I remonstrated with the school. The school responded that it was possibly (1) surfing (2) youtube and (3) Facebook.

Since I am very much in touch with my daughter's life, I know it isn't these 3. It's a combination of (1) every teacher giving homework without co-ordinating with other teachers (2) CCA and (3) extra-curricular opportunities such as Model United Nations, research opportunities with Profs, essay competitions etc...

By secondary school, kids are less obedient and when a child is driven to perform, she will push her body's limits. It comes from too successful academic parenting in primary school. A child that is used to performing in primary school won't tolerate losing out later either.

I tried grounding, caning, scolding... nothing worked.

I again had to remonstrate with the school when she landed in hospital with pneumonia which developed from a simple flu that a good night's sleep would have overcome. Since she slept poorly for 2 months, she never got well. The school finally gave her reprieve from holiday homework. I locked up her laptop for 1 month.

She was more careful after that.

The kids definitely don't have enough sleep in secondary school. Definitely.

It is understandable but as a twelve-year-old in secondary school that sleeps at ten and wakes up at seven, I disagree with your last statement. Indeed sufficient sleep is needed for a healthy and energetic mind.

[Sun_2010]

snowman.697:

Just to add on - doing relaxing stuff, say, reading a book, or watching some television program (make sure you FINISH it), lastly dont count sheep or cows or goats or ants or bacteria or humans or whatever, there's no scientific proof that it helps. I've triedit myself and it just kept me awake for 1.25 more hours. -.-

Haha snowman, i fall in the same category.

I think for those who are fascinated by numbers, counting sheep only makes the grey cells more excited.

Instead i go for a walk, along a favourite familiar path. As i try to remember the inane details as i stroll by , i tend to doze off....

[mrswongtuition]

As a student, I love my sleeep!! & I still love it!


During my secondary school days and even till now, I take afternoon naps if I had a brain-draining day in school.

Honestly, everyone is different and our body works differently.
Some people may need more sleep than others just to feel that same amount of 'refreshment' and 'alertness'.

I'm someone who can survive with little sleep. Key word: SURVIVE.
But if possible, I would love my sleep

For Secondary School students, their priorities are all wrong.
FB is more important than sleep.
Korean/HK dramas are more important than sleep.

For the studious ones: rushing projects is more important than sleep.

As a teacher, I always told my students:
Being EFFECTIVE & EFFICIENT is key to time management.

When you plan to sit down and complete your work, switch off ALL DISTRACTIONS.
If not doing work on the computer, turn off the computer, put HP on silent mode (and if possible, put it somewhere out of sight).
If doing work on the computer, no MSN, no FB, no Youtube, no games, etc.

Kids being kids.... they may not understand time management (be honest: many adults also lack time management skills).
GUIDE THEM to PLAN and ORGANISE their time.
It may seem like a big 'fight' at first. Perservere. You are teaching a LIFESKILL. No matter how hard it may be, try.

Also, teenagers prefer to be talked to as ADULTS. :roll:
Yet they don't behave responsibly like one. :roll:

So, I always encourage parents to simple sit your teenager down once and for all.
State out clearly the reasons:
1. To feed the growing brain and body, you need enough REST.
2. He/she deserves a good break and sleep after all the hard work, not waste energy on other activities of no 'benefit.

And state clearly how they can achieve that (remember: BABY STEPS):
1. Take a warm shower, lie on bed by 10pm, even if you don't feel tired. Just lie down to rest.
2. Plan your time by WRITING IT DOWN. E.g. 2 - 4pm finish schoolwork, 4 - 4.30pm shower, 4.30 - 6pm start on project (need to finish research and start off report), 6 - 7pm dinner, 7pm - 8pm TV, 8pm - 9pm computer time (if homework completed), 9pm shower and laze around.
3. Remind them that they are responsible for their own bodies, their own actions and they have to bear the consequences: falling ill due to lack of sleep, not doing well in school because they can't concentrate.

However, if your child is staying up genuinely because there's a lot of work to finish and they can't complete, it's time to stop the nagging and show your SUPPORT.

Simple actions like bringing them a drink, making supper if they feel hungry, making sure the lighting is good enough, they are not distracted by other things going on in the house (other family members watching TV too loudly, etc), etc.

And, staying up with them... even if you are doing your 'own things' like reading, watching TV, surfing the net.

Your child may seem to 'hate' it. Or may bug you to sleep. Just remind them that you are worried because you care and wish to stay up with them to show your support.

If all else fails, they may need proper counselling from someone that they trust and listen to. It may be a family member they look up to (older cousins), or the school counsellor.

Regards,
Mrs Wong
Tuition Web: http://www.mwtuition.com.sg
Personal Blog: thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com

[Yong HL]

How many hours of sleep is considered adequate for kids in primary school?

[ANobleNerd]

The research says 10 hours for kids 8 to 12.


11 and more for kids younger than 8.

9.5 to 10 for teenagers.

http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/sleep.htm

Sleep deprivation is not a joke - it can cause a multitude of health issues, both mental and physical for anyone, not just kids.

[cyn-w]

i try to get my boy to sleep about 10hours everyday

[tisha]

cyn-w:

i try to get my boy to sleep about 10hours everyday

Thats great. How old is your boy?

My DS (12 years old) sleeps only for 7 hrs (11:30 pm - 6:30 am) on weekdays + 1 hr of nap in the afternoon/evening after returning from school( this I insist, so that he is fresh for HW/revision).