Experts call for sleep lessons at school

Top sleep experts have called for pupils in Britain to receive lessons on the value of getting a good night's sleep, in news which may affect primary and secondary teachers.

Dr Chris Idzikowski of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, independent sleep consultant Dr Neil Stanley, Kathleen McGrath, founder of Sleep Matters and Jessica Alexander of The Sleep Council said the importance of quality sleep should be taught at schools in the same way as the significance of physical exercise and healthy foods.

The experts' call for action is being backed by most parents, according to a new survey.

"Teenagers need their eight to nine hours of undisturbed sleep and there is mounting evidence they are not getting it," Ms Alexander said. She went on to say that there is plenty of evidence that suggests that not just academic performance but social skills suffer if teenagers don't get enough sleep.

The report, conducted by the Sleep Council, delete found that six out of ten parents want sleep education to be included in the national curriculum.

Posted by Tim Colman


Published On 23/03/2010