How to Improve Teenagers

My oldest son gets on the bus before 7a.m. in order to give the high schoolers a later start time. It drives me absolutely crazy! I feel like the younger kids are the ones who shouldn't have to get up at 6a.m. Maybe I will change my mind when my little ones are in high school! It sounds like there is good research to show high schoolers should have a later start time. What do you think?

FROM CNN: It's tough to get a teen out of bed, especially on a school day. Now a new study finds that a few extra minutes of shut eye can make the difference in a young adult's day. Can youngsters benefit from a little more sleep? According to a new report out of the July issue of "Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine , " a short delay in school start times appears to improve a child's mood, health and attention in class.

The study looked at 201 students in grades 9 through 12. All went to the same high school. For the purpose of the study, researchers delayed the school start time from 8 a-m to 8-30-a-m. The students were then given a sleep habit survey after the change was made. Investigators found that students reported significantly more satisfaction with sleep and experienced improved motivation, and less daytime sleepiness, fatigue and depressed moods when school was delayed.

Sleep experts say during the onset of puberty, young people go to bed later and sleep later. the optimal sleep needs for teens is about nine to nine and a quarter hours per night. So any additional sleep seems to make a difference.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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