Too often regarded as a waste of time in modern societies, sleep is far more than a period of rest. It is a vital and fundamental component of development, physical and emotional health, learning, and interpersonal relationships, at every stage of life. While technological advances encourage us to delay our bedtime, our sleep needs have changed very little over the past 100 years. Evidence shows that:
- The body is unable to “store” sleep in anticipation of future deprivation;
- Regular sleep, sufficient in both quantity and quality, is therefore the only guarantee of proper functioning;
- Sleep is important at all ages, but is especially crucial for the brain, metabolic, immune, emotional, and cognitive development of children and adolescents.
- A good sleep is necessary to allow students to learn well. Nighttime sleep or a nap is essential to consolidate what has been learned.
- Lack of sleep in early childhood constitutes a handicap for future learning, as it leaves visible traces upon entry into elementary school.
Thus, a child who sleeps well is more likely to learn well. All stakeholders in the education system should consider sleep as a key factor in academic success and, more broadly, as a driver of student well-being. Although sleep primarily takes place within the private sphere of the family, its main consequences are clearly visible in the classroom: drowsiness, conflicts, lack of attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, absenteeism, and more. With compulsory schooling starting at age three, all children should be given the opportunity to take a nap within the school setting.
Teachers and researchers are convinced: sleeping well means learning well.
