Sleep deprivation affects two thirds of British children

Lack of sleep plays a significant role in lowering a child’s academic achievement, according to new research. A report also revealed that two thirds of British children have been affected by this issue. The new research was carried out by Boston College in the US, which also picked up that the problem was particularly prevalent in developed countries. So who, or what are the culprits?

Experts believe this is because of the rapid growth of the technological culture, which children are living in. In terms of international comparison, the U.S. was found to have the highest number of sleep-deprived students according to the BBC. An astonishing 73 per cent of nine and ten year olds, and 80 per cent of 13 and 14 year olds were identified by their teachers as adversely affected. This is compared with 47 per cent of primary school children in the world needing more sleep, and 57 per cent for secondary school pupils.

Among the worst affected countries include Australia, Saudi Arabia, England and Ireland, whereas children in countries such as Kazakhstan, Japan and Portugal get the most sleep.

The prevalence of computers and mobile devices readily available in children’s bedrooms, is thought to be primarily blamed for sleep deprivation. Apart because children will stay awake longer to look at them, but also natural sleep patterns can be affected when children look at a screen before sleeping.

Chad Minnich, of the TIMSS and PIRLS International Study Centre, told the BBC: "If you are unable to concentrate, to attend mentally, you are unable to achieve at your optimal level, because your mind and body are in need of something more basic."

"Sleep is a fundamental need for all children. If teachers report such large proportions of children suffering from lack of sleep, it’s having a significant impact."

"But worse than that, teachers are having to modify their instruction based on those children who are suffering from a lack of sleep."

As well as affecting the children concerned, because teachers have to lower the teaching standards to accommodate, those children who are not deprived from sleep will also suffer from receiving a lower standard of teaching than normal.

It is urged that parents take steps to prevent their children from having overdue access to gadgets which are preventing them from sleep enough. Schools which also adopt cutting edge design for their School Website can help to keep students engaged even more with education in general, making it fun yet informative, which can help to keep them less distracted with non-related sites.

Look for primary school website design or secondary school web design today

For more information, visit the School Website at:

http://www.schoolwebsite.co.uk/