The Importance of Sleep for Children: What Every Educator and Parent Should Know

Sleep is one of the most powerful, yet overlooked, tools for helping children succeed—in school, in behavior, and health. While it's often seen as a home-based responsibility, the effects of poor sleep show up every day in classrooms, clinics, and playgrounds.

At the Sleep Education Consortium (SEC), we are committed to equipping educators, healthcare professionals, and families with the knowledge they need to recognize sleep issues early and support healthy sleep habits that last a lifetime.

Why Sleep Is Crucial for Child Development

Sleep is when the brain processes what it’s learned, repairs the body, and prepares for the next day. For children, it plays an especially important role in:

• Cognitive development and memory

• Emotional regulation and behavior

• Physical growth and immune function

• Academic performance and social interactions

Chronic sleep deprivation—even mild—can lead to learning difficulties, frequent illness, mood swings, and behavioral concerns that impact a child’s ability to thrive in both academic and home settings.

When Sleep Disorders Are Misinterpreted as ADHD

Many children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) without ever having their sleep evaluated. Research suggests that up to 50% of children with ADHD-like symptoms have an undiagnosed sleep or breathing disorder.

Common overlapping symptoms include:

• Inattention or distractibility

• Hyperactivity or impulsivity

• Poor memory or executive function

• Behavioral outbursts or mood swings

If a child isn’t sleeping well, their brain struggles to function during the day—and the signs can look almost identical to ADHD.

Breathing Disorders: A Hidden Disruptor

Obstructive sleep apnea, mouth breathing, enlarged tonsils, or a narrow airway can interrupt a child’s sleep dozens of times a night—without them even being aware. These micro-awakenings leave the brain and body unrested, which may present during the day as:

• Trouble waking up

• Difficulty focusing in class

• Frequent meltdowns or emotional outbursts

• Falling asleep during quiet activities

• Bedwetting beyond the expected age

Breathing issues during sleep are common and treatable—but only if we know what to look for.

Back to Basics: What Is Sleep Hygiene?

Sleep hygiene includes the habits and environment that contribute to quality rest. Teaching children (and their parents) the importance of sleep hygiene can have a ripple effect on academic success, classroom behavior, and lifelong wellness.

Key components of healthy sleep hygiene:

• A consistent bedtime and wake time—even on weekends

• A relaxing bedtime routine

• Limited screen time at least one hour before bed

• A cool, dark, quiet sleep space

• Encouraging nasal breathing and physical activity during the day

  
  

A Collaborative Approach: What Schools and Parents Can Do

Sleep education isn’t just a job for pediatricians—it’s a conversation that belongs in schools and family homes, too. Here’s how we can work together:

• Encourage sleep-friendly routines through school handouts or family nights

• Train teachers and counselors to recognize signs of sleep deprivation

• Offer resources to families on the connection between sleep and behavior

• Promote school schedules that respect children’s biological sleep needs

  
  

Join the Movement

The Sleep Education Consortium is passionate about educating communities on the critical role sleep plays in overall health—especially in children. Our programs support schools, clinicians, and families in creating better outcomes through better sleep.