Doctors say sleep classes would be dream come true

Published on Friday 23 October 2009 10:13

WHILE modern education is about far more then reading, writing and arithmetic, most people would still believe that school is no place for sleeping.

Healthy eating, environmental awareness and running a successful business are all topics which have crept into the school curriculum in recent years.

Core topics like maths, English and geography now have to co-exist with a range of diverse and considerably different subjects.

It seems the latest addition to this growing list could be teaching youngsters how to sleep well, after a campaign was launched with the backing of doctors and specialists.

The proposals have been launched after a survey revealed three-quarters of adults were in favour of sleep education in schools.

The same study – carried out by The Sleep Council – revealed huge ignorance among parents and children surrounding how much sleep youngsters should actually get. Emphasising the importance of adequate sleep to a child's development, the campaigners said it should be regarded in the same breath as a healthy diet and good exercise regime.

Introducing it to the main curriculum is the only way to ensure this happens, they said. But is it worth including "sleep education" alongside physics and history, or should it be down to the parents to instil the merits of some decent shut eye?

The organisers of the campaign pointed out that it is ludicrous that something which takes up one-third of our lives is barely addressed at any level of society, and thrusting it on to the learning agenda could fix problems both short and long-term.

Locally, the Labour Party's education spokesman in Edinburgh, Cllr Ricky Henderson, said the issue could be raised as part of a wider healthy living agenda.

"I don't think it's a bad idea at all," he said. "It does sound a bit wacky on first hearing but there are clear benefits from a good night's sleep.

"It should be encouraged along with having a balanced diet and getting regular exercise and messages like those.

"It is important that young people are given this information one way or another, and it has to be packaged correctly, especially with everyone leading such fast-paced lives these days."

The research, which included the views of 2,000 adults, found that 60 per cent thought sleep education should be formally introduced to the school curriculum. Four in every five said they appreciated the importance of sufficient sleep for a child, although nearly half weren't aware that a three-year-old child needs 12 hours a night, while a third didn't know six to 12-year-olds require ten hours.

In all, 95 per cent of people in the survey said they had never received any form of education relating to what constituted a healthy night's sleep.

Poor sleeping patterns can lead to bad concentration in the classroom and make children more inclined to disruptive behaviour. Edinburgh-based organisation Sleep Scotland, established a decade ago, has already begun working with youngsters and hopes to approach the council's director of education to investigate the possibility of pilot schemes being launched in city schools.

Director Jane Ansell said it was not a coincidence that the issue was gathering pace. "In our work we have definitely noticed a rise in teenagers who are having trouble sleeping, and not just those with special needs," she said.

"It is too easy to say computer games, MP3 players and mobile phones are to blame, although these stimulating things shouldn't be used before going to sleep.

"We do encourage them to be used at different times in the day, but there are many other factors, which differ with each person. I'm delighted this has been spoken about because it is crucial."

Experts have also emphasised the need for setting a trend in childhood for good sleep, otherwise bad habits – harder to rectify in later life – will continue into adulthood.

As well as the hidden disadvantages, doctors also pointed out the effect insufficient sleep can have on appearance, such as bags under the eyes or a pale complexion. Poor sleep can also impact negatively on the memory capacity of youngsters, and stunt growth.

The Sleep Council's next step is to launch a petition to Downing Street, calling for measures to be introduced.

Dr Chris Idzikowski is the director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, a resource which offers a range of treatments to people who have trouble sleeping.

He is also in favour of the issue being introduced to the curriculum.

"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," he said.