Summary
A study from Brown University found that many American parents think their children get enough sleep, but only 14% of the kids in the study actually met the recommended sleep guidelines. Children often sleep less than parents assume, partly because parents aren't aware of how long it takes for kids to fall asleep or how often they wake up at night. Latino children were found to get less sleep compared to non-Latino children in this study.
Key Facts
- Brown University researchers studied 102 elementary school children in Rhode Island.
- 83% of parents thought their children got enough sleep, but only 14% met sleep guidelines.
- The study used wrist-worn devices to track sleep patterns.
- Children need 9-12 hours of sleep per night, but kids averaged only about 8 hours and 20 minutes.
- Latino children slept less than non-Latino children in the study.
- Only 4.4% of Latino children met sleep guidelines, compared to 22.8% of non-Latino children.
- Cultural practices like co-sleeping and room sharing might affect sleep in Latino households.
- The study highlights the need for better communication about sleep between families and healthcare providers.
