Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

03-10-2022

Research shows that most teens don't get enough sleep. So when they sit down to do schoolwork, many teens nod off.

Small changes in routine can make a big difference in your teen's ability to concentrate. Encourage your teen to:

Exercise regularly. Teens who get regular exercise find it easier to fall asleep at night ... and they have more energy during the day.
Watch the snacks. A light snack can help your teen concentrate. But eating too much before a study session can bring on drowsiness.
Set an alarm. If your teen tends to fall asleep while studying, suggest setting the alarm on a phone or a clock to ring in 30 minutes. When it goes off, have your teen reset it. This minimizes the amount of time lost to sleep.
Take breaks. A little fresh air and some movement can wake up even the sleepiest teen. But make sure your teen's five-minute breather doesn't turn into a 30-minute session on social media.
Strive for adequate sleep. Help your teen plan a schedule that allows for plenty of sleep (eight hours is ideal). Your student may not reach this goal every night, but trying for it prevents getting in the habit of staying up late all the time.

Brought to you by:

Family and School Partnerships
Fairfax County Public Schools