Why We Should Start Later In School

Words: 524
Pages: 3

Students sleep patterns have gotten worse overtime due to kids watching television and playing afterschool sports or other activities. Kids are going to bed later at night and waking up early in the morning, according to the article “But I’m Not Tired” by Alice Park, kids 10-12 need about ten hours of sleep a night but, usually only get about seven or eight. So, how can schools and families make sure that their children are getting enough sleep to perform well in school? Schools should give less homework, many students to after school activities for the portion of the night that means a late start on homework, dinner and of course sleep. The author states that many kids admit to dozing off in class or feeling tired. If a child doesn’t get done with homework until nine p.m., they may not go to sleep until ten or eleven, and then have to wake up early in the morning to go to school. Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep have trouble doing simple tasks such as adding and subtracting; the article goes on to say that exhaustion can make you grouchy and depressed. …show more content…
The author states that a school in Edina, Minnesota changed the start time from 7:25 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Both parents and students have said that they are pleased with the results. Students have said that they are awake during the first class period and that fewer students are falling asleep in class. The author says that part of the problem is chemical; the hormones in the student’s bodies are making it hard for them to fall asleep before 11p.m. and harder for them to wake up in the morning in time for