Kindergarteners need at least 10 hours of sleep, study says

BOSTON - Here's some advice for parents whose children are about to begin school in the fall: New research says your kindergarteners should get at least 10 hours of sleep a night to perform at their best.

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics found that kids who consistently got at least 10 hours of sleep did better interacting with their teachers and classmates, performed better academically and had an easier time recognizing letters and words. 

It's also important to sleep-train your child at least 5-6 months before kindergarten starts, so if you haven't already, get started now.  Cut down on daytime naps because fewer naps will make it easier to get 10 hours of sleep in one long stretch at night. Reduce screen time before bed while establishing a bedtime routine, like a warm bath before bed and story time. And finally, choose a regular bedtime, no later than 9 pm.

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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