A daily sleep delay of 30-60 minutes among first-grade students is one of the reasons for the problems that arise and the deterioration of the educational process.
Oxu.Az reports that Russian doctor and Moscow's chief pediatrician, Ismail Osmanov, told TASS about this.
He emphasized that first grade is the beginning of a long journey for a child, and that sleep is very important at this age.
"Children aged six or seven usually need 9-12 hours of sleep, and most feel comfortable with 10-11 hours of night rest. Daytime sleep is no longer essential, but in the first few weeks, a short nap until 3:00 PM sometimes helps, allowing the first-grader's nervous system to reset," the doctor stated.
A stable routine protects not only memory and attention but also appetite, mood, and resistance to stress. Even a small lack of sleep can result in mood swings, lethargy, headaches, and problems with concentration.
Osmanov stated that when creating a sleep schedule, parents should consider the child's daily routine. For example, if the child needs to wake up at 07:00 AM, then they should go to bed around 8:30-9:00 PM. The doctor advised parents to gradually transition to the daily routine.
"A late, heavy dinner should be no later than three hours before bedtime, and sweet carbonated drinks and chocolate should be excluded in the evening. Daily activity and walks improve sleep, but intense exercises should be completed no later than two to three hours before bedtime," the pediatrician advised.