Sponsored by
Leeds: Children 'need sleep education'
Sleep experts have called for the importance of a good night's sleep to be taught in schools and have won the support of people in Leeds.
Teaching children the value of good quality sleep should be given as much emphasis as healthy food and exercise in schools, according to Dr Chris Idzikowski from the Edinburgh Sleep Centre and other experts in the field.
Currently, there is no requirement for schools to teach anything about sleep, as it does not appear on the curriculum, but people in Yorkshire have been supportive of promoting sleep's importance.
Around two-thirds of people in Leeds (62%) and Sheffield (66%) believe that sleep should be part of the National Curriculum.
More than eight out of 10 people (Leeds 81%, Sheffield 82%) say that a
good sleep every night is the most important thing for a child to do well at school, while three-quarters (Leeds 73%, Sheffield 74%) are concerned about the amount of quality of sleep their child gets.
"Sleep is a basic and fundamental human requirement and is vitally important for good physical, mental and emotional health," said independent sleep consultant Dr Neil Stanley. "It's crucial for memory, learning and growth which means that it is necessary for children to get enough sleep."
Dr Chris Idzikowski said: "We teach children about nutrition and ensure regular exercise is part of their weekly activities but the third critical ingredient of a healthy lifestyle - sleep - is barely touched upon."
The number of parents to receive advice about the benefits of good sleep in children by a teacher was low, with only 4% in Leeds being informed and 8% in Sheffield.
While the number to receive advice about good sleep in their own school days was also low. Just 2% of Sheffield people received advice on good sleep and 5% of people in Leeds.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
