Every night, you close your eyes and drift off. Your body is resting. But your brain is still busy!
Sleep helps you learn
During the day, you learn many new things. Sleep helps your brain remember them. Children who sleep well can pay attention better. They learn better too.
Sleep helps you feel good
Have you ever felt cranky after a late night? That is your body asking for sleep. Good sleep helps you stay calm and cheerful. It also helps keep your body healthy. While you sleep, your body grows and mends itself.
How much sleep do you need?
Children aged 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep. That is a lot! Say you sleep at 9 at night. Then you should wake up at 6 or later.
Babies need even more sleep. A newborn baby sleeps about 16 to 17 hours a day. But it wakes up often for milk!
Getting ready for bed
A regular bedtime helps your body know when to rest. A quiet, dark room helps too. Bright screens just before bed can make it harder to fall asleep. A calm bedtime story is a lovely end to the day. Go to bed at the same time each night. Do this on holidays too. Sweet dreams!
Try this: Keep a sleep diary for one week. Write down when you go to bed. Write down when you wake up. Count your hours of sleep each night. Did you get enough?