RESTLESS KIDS ARE UNPREPARED FOR THE BIG RETURN TO SCHOOL

Sleepy-eyed schoolkids will struggle to adjust when they return to school next week, after they’ve become used to a new regime during lockdown, according to new research.

Dramatic changes in routine, brought on by 11 long months of lockdown, means that schoolkids are going to bed later, regularly oversleeping in the morning and are more restless than ever, according to the study by Silentnight.

British children have lost more than 13 days of sleep* during lockdown, thanks to the disruption of school closures, the research reveals. And that could mean problems adjusting to stricter school hours, earlier bedtimes and early mornings for the youngsters when the school bell rings on Monday.

One in four schoolkids is now going to bed 90 minutes later than before lockdown. And sleep-deprivation has left many of them frazzled and restless, with parents hugely concerned that getting them back into a more healthy, stricter routine, ready for the big school reopening on March 8th, will prove a titanic struggle.

The data, compiled by sleep experts at the famous bed brand, shows that while parents are relieved that English schools will finally reopen nationwide from 8th March, and on a staggered basis across Wales and Scotland, they’re also concerned that their children will really struggle to get back into a routine that will ensure they get the best from the school reopening.

The Silentnight poll of 2,000 parents conducted in February this year reveals a quarter of children feel unsettled and are disorganised because of lockdown. And that disruption has had a huge impact on children’s sleep, with almost half of all youngsters having much later bedtimes than ever before.

Parents say their kids are restless when the lights go out and, as a result, almost a third of Brit kids are now spending extended periods on social media during the hours of darkness.

Parents say that 40% of kids now regularly crawl into bed with them at night and a third of mums and dads are regularly woken by children playing with their toys after they’ve gone to bed.

Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, resident sleep consultant at Silentnight said: “Lockdown has disrupted our family routines for almost a year and it’s clear the stress of the strange situation we’re in has taken a real toll on how well schoolchildren in particular are sleeping.

“Luckily, there are some simple steps families can take to remedy their routines. The reopening of schools in March means a greater level of normality is definitely on the horizon but there are steps parents need to take to make the transition easier for their children.

“I’d recommend adding more physical activity into the day to get kids better prepped for a healthy night’s sleep. This could simply be taking a short walk at lunchtime or turning lessons into outdoor activities, for example, trying a local nature trail.

“It is crucial that parents do their best to re-establish a term-time routine with their children as soon as possible. Reducing screen time in the run-up to bedtime is also an easy way to promote a more natural night’s sleep and is a must for them to benefit from a restful sleep routine.

“If children are to benefit fully from the return to school then their sleep is of paramount importance – and getting them into the term-time routine in preparation is critical.”

Silentnight has solutions for every sleeper including beds, mattresses, duvets, pillows and more for each member of the family. The brand’s expert team understands that everyone has their own unique sleep needs and all of its products are developed to address each individual requirement.