Sleep is crucial for back to school

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - We're less than a month away from the start of another school year, and you want to make sure kids have the basics.

This includes clothes, backpacks, and notepads. However, they also need another important thing, sleep.
     
While many see sleep as catching up from previous activities, it can play a huge role in how students perform in school.
     
A lack of sleep can limit a kid's concentration and ability to learn.
     
This is especially important for younger children and those going through puberty. These kids require ten to twelve hours a night.
     
Unfortunately, this means going to bed early, something many children don't do during the summer.
     
Something else working against these kids is their natural pattern of periods of high and low activity.
     
In order to keep a consistent sleep schedule, it's important for kids to stay active when they get home from school.

"Sitting around and watching TV, they're not really expending any energy," said Union Hospital health expert Anthony Mazzon, "so the way i see it, they're going to have excess energy when it comes time for bed so they're not going to be able to sleep as well."

It's important for kids to start the transition of going to bed early.

Of course, kids don't usually go to bed on their own so parents play a key role in helping them succeed.

Another important thing is that not enough sleep can actually lead to a higher risk of anxiety and depression.
     
When you're tired and groggy, you don't want to talk to anyone, and those early years are crucial to a child social skills.