I recently read this statistic: Twenty percent of teens fall asleep during class every day. I began to ponder why teens are continuously asked to perform academically at early times of the morning in light of scientific evidence to the contrary. Study after study has shown teens do better in school and have less depression when they are allowed to start working later in the morning.
A middle school student told me last night she has to get up by 6:00 a.m. in order to be ready to be on the bus before 7:00. In order to get the recommended nine hours of sleep, she would have to be in bed and asleep by 9:00 each night. With after-school activities and homework, that can be a challenge. Add in the circadian rhythm changes that occur during adolescence, which cause teens to want to stay up later/sleep later, and that's a near impossibility. Thus, the sleep deprivation cycle begins.
I've heard adults make the argument that "this is what they will have to do in the real world." True, but by then, they will be adults and will have outgrown this particular biological tendency.
In this "age of science", why is only some science regarded as important? In this case, school districts will say it's a matter of budget or, sadly, the need to accommodate sports. If this is a matter of our whether or not our children get a good education, why isn't this issue as important as funding for schools (which is always backed up with scientific data)?
Deuteronomy 4:9 says: "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
I've taught early morning Sunday school for teens and can say with all authority, I may as well have been attempting to instruct a brick wall. Parents, have you ever attempted to communicate some deep and wonderful truth to your teen at 7:00 in the morning? If so, I know you get what I am saying.
I say, let the kids sleep later. What do you think?
