Teens’ sleep cycles differ from those of adults and young children, and most school start times catch them when they’re at their groggiest, says Grace Denault, a sleep specialist at the Academy of Sleep and Wellness in Wilmington. She asserts that moving school hours to later in the day can markedly improve the way teens learn and grow.
Matching school times to teenage circadian rhythms—which was already implemented in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District in Pennsylvania—has been shown to improve academic performance, athletics, and discipline, Denault points out. Additionally, well-rested teen drivers are less likely to be involved in car accidents.
This abnormal circadian rhythm “starts with puberty and tapers off in the early 20s,” she says. Studies show this also starts earlier in girls than in boys.
While syncing the first school bell with teen circadian rhythms might be beneficial for students (and other drivers), implementation of a plan usually faces significant hurdles such as altering faculty and staff hours and busing, and can impact families where older children take care of younger siblings, Denault says.
In the meantime, parents and caregivers can help kids adopt healthy sleep habits, Denault says, noting eliminating caffeine, banning screen time before bed, keeping sleep times consistent, and creating a restful bedroom that is quiet and dark.
“The other thing that can help is bright light in the morning, which can push their phase a little bit more back to normal.”
