A girl yawns over her open notebook while classmates at nearby desks turn to look at her

Illustration by Howard McWilliam; Courtesy of families (Harrison and Ananya)

Standards

Should You Have Nap Time at School?

You just sat down to start the school day, but you’re already yawning. Has that ever happened to you? If so, you’re not alone.

Experts say fourth-graders should get 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. But many kids get much less than that. In fact, nearly half the kids in the United States don’t get enough sleep. That’s according to the National Sleep Foundation. 

Some people think nap time at school could help kids catch up on their sleep and feel refreshed. Studies show that napping has many benefits. Getting extra rest can help kids improve their focus and do well in class. Naps can also help improve memory.

While most people agree that getting enough sleep is important, some say school isn’t the place to catch up on rest. They say kids should follow routines that allow them to get enough sleep at night. One tip to help with that is to always go to bed at the same time.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

Some kids have to wake up really early for school. They may be tired and have trouble listening in class. Taking a nap at school could help recharge their bodies and brains. Research shows that naps can help improve kids’ grades too. 

When I don’t get a good night’s rest, I can be moody. It can be hard for me to pay attention. If my school had nap time, I could focus better. I’d be happier and ready to learn. 

Having nap time at school can cause a lot of problems. For one thing, it takes time away from learning. And you might feel cranky and tired when you wake up. That can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork. Plus, if you nap at school, you might have trouble falling asleep at night. 

Also, napping at school doesn’t prepare kids for the future. Adults don’t get to nap at work. So kids shouldn’t get to nap at school.

What does your class think?

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