It’s easy to imagine sleep-deprived teens missing their morning alarm or falling asleep in class. But a recent Bronx workshop proved that children as young as second grade don’t get enough sleep — and suffer the physical, emotional and academic consequences.
Parents and students of PS/IS 218 Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School met with leaders Oct. 9 at the New York City-based school Pajama program to learn how much sleep young children really need (a lot!) and ideas for building a more restful nighttime routine.
In general, American children don’t get enough sleep. A 2022 study of more than 4,200 American children found that the average sleep time was 7.45 hours, far less than the 9 to 12 hours recommended for elementary school students by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
And lack of sleep can be a particular problem for children of color in areas like the Bronx. The study found that black and low-income children sleep about 30 minutes less per day than their higher-income white peers.
Lack of sleep affects children in every way, from their emotions to their grades, the teachers said. It is linked to lower math and literacy scores, poor memory, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, obesity and other mental and physical health problems.
And sometimes tired students miss crucial socialization opportunities because they sleep instead, says Jennifer Vargas, one of the Pajama Program facilitators.
The bilingual workshop at PS/IS 218 focused on educating parents, which is essential for building “cohesion” around sleep routines, said Iye Ayetiwa, an education coordinator for the Bronx-based nonprofit. WHEDcowhich provides after-school programming at school and has invited teachers from the Pajama program.
Support from schools and families — and making sure they start good habits early — is necessary to make a dent in the public health problem that is sleep deprivation, she said.
“We can’t do it alone,” says Ayetiwa. WHEDco plans to take the workshop to other local schools and even younger grade levels (kindergarten and first grade), she said. Given the scale of the problem, “This will not be a one-time event.”
Vargas and Andrea Guerra of Pajama Program presented information in both Spanish and English. Growing bodies and brains are incredibly active during sleep, and many children really need more rest, they explained.
But Guerra and Vargas also emphasized that their program is not intended to shame parents. Many already feel like they never do enough, and the Pajama Program’s suggestions may not work for everyone, they said.
Getting kids to sleep — and stay asleep — is difficult for many families, but city dwellers face additional challenges. They often have to deal with noise from the street or others in the building, sleep in cramped spaces and don’t have full temperature control in the home, Vargas says.
“You do the best you can with what you have,” they told the parents. “When you’re here, you do a lot.”
She and Guerra shared a bedtime routine called READY, which encourages families to turn off electronic devices, eat a healthy (non-sugary) snack, brush teeth, and put on pajamas to signal the brain to relax and— the hardest part of all – maintaining a consistent attitude. bedtime of 8pm, even on weekends.
Some parents laughed at the idea, but Vargas encouraged them to try for consistency, knowing it might not be perfect.
“At the end of the day, you are the experts” on what your own children need, she said.
‘You’re not alone’
Parents in the room said they were having some trouble getting their children to sleep. The most common problems for the people in the room were shared sleeping space, noise and electronic devices.
“We want you to know you’re not alone,” Vargas said.
But one parent shared in Spanish her surefire way to get her child to sleep: As soon as she starts the bedtime prayer, the child immediately nods off, she said, as the adults laughed.
Guerra and Vargas said it is most important to find what works in each family. They distributed magnets with the recommended sleep routine and paper cards and stickers for families to track their daily progress in completing each step. Each family also took home a children’s book, selected from a wide range of characters and authors.
And they have another gift to look forward to: In a few weeks, each family will receive a pair of cozy pajamas from WHEDco, which they hope will help build a sense of comfort and relaxation around bedtime.
Parents concluded the session by discussing not only bedtime challenges, but also one part of their current routine that works well in their household. One said she asks the child to discuss the highlight of their day; another said they play calm, gentle music.
One parent said that while she wants “harmony” at bedtime, she herself is often exhausted.
“It’s so hard as a single mom,” she said, but she still vowed to try a new routine. ‘I’m going to try. I want to do it.”
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
By Emily Swanson