Long nights have become a common practice among children due to their increased use of mobile devices. Researchers in 2023 found that sixty percent of children did not get enough sleep. They found that mobile phones act as significant factors that contribute to the loss of nighttime sleep among children. That’s a dire problem. Human development at every level depends on sleep to proceed toward growth while also supporting emotional well-being. So, what time should kids go to bed?
The guide below was created to handle this problem. The following offers recommendations for sleep timing based on age groups, alongside approaches to establishing beneficial sleeping habits. Early corrective actions for sleep schedules must happen so your child’s life remains active. Let’s dive in!
Why bedtimes matter for kids
Sleep isn’t just about rest. Sleep operates as an enhancement system for kids’ development. Children who lack proper sleep reveal their dire condition without delay. Here’s why an ideal bedtime for kids should be established:
- Physical growth: Growth hormones operate automatically during deep sleep. Less sleep = less growth. It’s science, not scare tactics.
- Cognitive development: During rest time, the brain operates as a processing unit to handle educational information collected from the day. Memory functions and learning abilities, alongside focus, are negatively impacted by sleep deprivation.
- Emotional regulation: Children who lack enough rest tend to display behavioral problems that include overt grumpiness. These youngsters frequently experience tantrums together with mood swings, which often lead to furious outbursts when they encounter any inconvenience.
- Immune system: The ability to combat infections improves in children who get enough sleep. Insufficient rest leads to increased illness absences and school absenteeism, followed by disrupted domestic conditions.
- Academic performance: Sleep also has a direct impact on academic performance. Many studies have shown that enough sleep leads to a dramatic increase in children’s concentration and creativity, which naturally leads to improved academic performance and exceptional classroom performance.
Sweet dreams and a kid’s growth start with the right bedtime!
What time should kids go to bed? (By ages)
The appropriate time for going to bed today shows no uniformity because age makes a significant difference in sleep requirements. Different age groups require different bedtime hours according to their expected sleep durations, as explained below. Here are some age-specific bedtimes for kids.
Newborns (0-3 months):
Newborns need an extremely long sleep during their early stages. We’re talking 14 – 17 hours a day. The children in this age range operate a unique 24/7 schedule. In routine, just feed, sleep, and repeat.
Infants (4-12 months):
- Total sleep: 12 – 15 hours.
- Suggested bedtime: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
When 1-year-old children reach the next stage of their biological clock, their sleep pattern shifts into gear. The introduction of a designated bedtime finally becomes achievable at this stage. Sweet relief.
Toddlers (1-3 years):
- Total sleep: 11 – 14 hours (including naps).
- Suggested bedtime: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Tantrums? Try an earlier bedtime. Tired toddlers act as unstable explosive devices since they have no rest.
Preschoolers (3-5 years):
- Total sleep: 10 – 13 hours.
- Suggested bedtime: 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Naps might fade out. Bedtime becomes even more crucial.
School kids (6-12 years):
- Total sleep: 9 – 12 hours.
- Suggested bedtime: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Homework, sports, screen time, they’re busy. Still, the amount of sleep required stays constant regardless of how fast life becomes.
Teenagers (13-18 years):
- Total sleep: 8 – 10 hours.
- Suggested bedtime: 9:00 – 10:00 PM
Teens are night owls by habit of using digital devices. Still, the daily school time remains early, even though bedtime fights remain common among children. Good luck.
Determining when children should go to bed depends on their age category. A child should begin their bedtime routine based on their age, although early bedtime typically remains the best choice. Set the rules. Be consistent.
How much sleep do kids need?
Scientists have found that children require more sleep than adults, which exceeds their comprehension. And naps? They’re a must! Young people require these sleep periods to function properly. Each age group requires unique specifics on what time kids should go to bed. Here are further details on appropriate bedtimes by age:
| Age groups | Total sleep needed | Naps needed | Recommended Bedtimes |
| Newborns (0-3 mo) | 14-17 hours | Yes, all day, on & off | No fixed time |
| Infants (4-12 mo) | 12-15 hours | 2-3 naps | 6:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Toddlers (1-3 yrs) | 11-14 hours | 1-2 naps | 6:30 – 7:30 PM |
| Preschoolers (3-5 yrs) | 10-13 hours | 0-1 nap | 7:30 – 8:30 PM |
| School-age (6-12 yrs) | 9-12 hours | No | 8:00 – 9:00 PM |
| Teens (13-18 yrs) | 8-10 hours | No | 9:00 – 10:00 PM |
See the pattern? Children in the younger age groups require additional sleep aside from going to bed earlier in the evening. The total sleep duration decreases during childhood, although the decrease remains less substantial than assumed. This table presents an essential starting time for when kids should go to bed. The rest of their brains will likely result in better performance on their upcoming math test.
Signs your kids aren’t sleeping enough
Children usually do not explicitly state that they feel exhausted. These Little gremlin tantrums are how children display their sleepless state. Pay attention to these signs to detect sleep deprivation in children:
- Irritability: Everything sets them off.
- Hyperactivity:
- Trouble waking up: It takes a long time to wake them up from bed manually.
- Daytime sleepiness: Falling asleep in the car? During school? That’s a red flag.
- Poor focus: Students who easily lose concentration during both homework sessions and class time. Sleep could be the issue.
Common kids’ sleep challenges and causes
Obtaining proper sleep for children can present various challenges. The following list contains common sleep difficulties with probable reasons behind them:
- Bedtime resistance
They unexpectedly show they want to drink water, they feel hungry, followed by an urgent need to share important information. Delay tactics galore. Overstimulation from online activities, combined with weak routines and prolonged screen exposure, typically triggers this situation.
- Night awakenings
Children can either scream themselves awake during sleep, or they might unexpectedly enter your bedroom during nighttime. Totally normal – occasionally. A regular occurrence of night awakenings demands anxiety checks, noise evaluations, and assessment of sleep habits.
- Sleepwalking
Yep, it’s real. Most individuals suffer from this harmless condition during their deep sleep phase. The combination of stress and being excessively tired provides conditions that may cause this experience.
- Nightmares
Scary dreams produce real-life intensity for children regarding their dream experiences. Scary content and feelings of stress, as well as particular medications, tend to create disruptions in young brains.
Common causes behind these chaos-filled nights:
- Too much screen time, especially before bed.
- Inconsistent sleep schedules.
- Kids magnify minor stresses from their environment because anxiety and pressure overwhelm their perception of things.
- Overstimulating environments. Loud, bright, or unpredictable stuff = no chill time.
Parents should consult a pediatrician about their child’s persistent sleep difficulties, even after trying all available remedies. Long-lasting sleep challenges can affect a person’s development, as well as their behaviors and overall wellness. Being unable to sleep does not define someone’s condition, yet it requires them to discover the root causes of their restlessness.
The solution to determining when children should go to bed begins with the decisive action of decreasing mobile device accessibility.
Tips to get your child to sleep well
Your child needs restful sleep that exceeds the quality of nightly baby slumber without getting up throughout the night. It starts with you. Kids model what they see. The activities you perform when doom-scrolling at midnight will guide your children toward similar behavior, exactly that.
The process to define what time kids should go to bed requires neither secret knowledge nor magic powers. Just a solid plan and some consistency. Here’s how to make it happen:
🛏️ Set consistent bedtime routines: Kids thrive on routine – bath, book, bed. The consistent repetition of this routine during nighttime helps the body recognize the arrival of sleep time.
😪 Create a good sleep environment: Dark, quiet, and calm. The perfect atmosphere for rest includes low-light illumination and silence between rooms.
📵 Avoid mobile devices 1-2 hours before bedtime: People of all ages should put away their mobile devices at least one to two hours before going to bed. Screens mess with melatonin. The removal of nighttime screen exposure will lead to obvious improvements: less YouTube, more Zzz’s.
📴 Set parental controls to limit device usage: FlashGet Kids stands as one of the best tools for parents to monitor and manage kids’ screen time according to their requirements. The war to detach children from mobile devices keeps parents on constant alert. FlashGet Kids makes it easier with the following features.
- Screen time controls and the app blocker within FlashGet Kids can help you develop a consistent schedule for your kids.
- Activity reports will help you keep an eye on your child’s mobile usage.
With this tool, you can control your child’s phone without needing to monitor it like an enforcement officer.
☕ Limit sugar and caffeine: No sodas, sugary snacks, or sneaky chocolate before bed. Your goal is to rest while kids avoid participation in the rave activities.
✨ Encourage physical activity: Outdoor play during the day is ideal for improving sleep at night. Tired bodies = sleepy brains. Engaging in outdoor exercise activities for at least two hours is recommended for kids.
Parents should educate their children by leading by example of positive nighttime practices. Go to bed at a decent hour. Read instead of scrolling. Adults should wind down in a proper manner. Children continuously acquire knowledge that parents commonly underestimate.
Final thoughts
According to age guidelines, we have determined what time kids should go to bed. Children should go to bed at age-appropriate times, but finding early, consistent schedules brings the best results. Since sleep is closely related to kids’ personal development and school performance, it should never be taken casually. To maintain consistency, create nightly routines and follow them with screen restrictions, using FlashGet Kids as an organizing tool.
That said, every kid’s different. The guidelines represent an initial reference point, although they do not enforce strict rules. Business and child development requirements should guide your selection of suitable bedtime schedules. Just make sleep a priority. The kids who are completely rested tend to get disturbed much less, even when it comes to something as serious as choosing their cereal bowls.
