California Becomes The First State In The Country To Push Back School Start Times And This Is A Gamechanger
California is taking the initiative and leading the way when it comes to making sure kids are more ready for school in the mornings, and I kinda love them for it.
I am in serious love with the summer, because I get to spend like 3 carefree months with my littles, doing all the things.
But, come August, I’m hella ready for the school year to start — because I’ve just spent 3 solid months with kids.
“I’m hungry.”
“Can I watch TV?”
“I’m hungry.”
“I’m bored.”
“I hate our vacation.”
“When’s dinner?”
“I hate dinner.”
Thank God for teachers, AMIRITE?!? Saints!!
There is one thing I loathe about the school year, and that is trying to wrangle the kids out of bed at 5:45am. NOT something I am eagerly anticipating in the next month-or-so.
California is leading the way in making it just a bit easier for kids and parents in the morning.
They have pushed back school start times. It actually gives our progeny time to sleep in and start the day bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Not to mention — it gives parents time to wake up and actually prepare for the madness that is getting everyone ready for school.
According to California bill SB-328 the school day will start no earlier than 8am for middle schoolers and 8:30 for high schoolers.
The law was actually passed in 2019, but it goes into full effect this year.
I must say, I’m a bit jealous. Here, we start at 7:15 for middle school. Even the extra 45 minutes would be a gamechanger!
Optimal sleep for most teenagers is in the range of 8.5 to 9.5 hours per night.
American Academy of Pediatrics
It is also suggested that children — younger than teens — get between 10 and 12 hours of sleep a night.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also says that kids’ brains react to lack of sleep in a way that seems a bit counterintuitive. After being awake for 14.5 to 18.5 hours, it takes them longer to fall asleep.
So, although their bedtimes might be, say 10pm, they are laying there unable to sleep. From experience, I can tell you that it sometimes takes the teen’s brain a couple hours to wind down enough for sleep.
When school start times are earlier in the morning, that means even less sleep for kids.
That’s going to affect their performance, their concentration, their attitudes — all the things.
When you give [kids] the gift of increased sleep time, it is the biggest bang for the buck that you can think about.
Dr. Sumit Bhargava, Stanford University
So, good job, California, in seeing the need for kids getting more sleep, and doing something about it.
I hope all states follow suit, and we see kids getting good sleep throughout the country!
