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Child Education: Dr. (Prof.) VK Paul, a member of the Health Department of NITI Aayog, recently drew attention to a serious health issue and said that one-fourth of the school children of our country are not able to get enough sleep today. This situation is not only harming their mental and physical health but is also affecting their overall development.

This report was prepared in collaboration with the National Health System Resource Center (NHSRC) and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in which detailed information was given about the sleep habits and their impact of school adolescents in the age group of 12 to 18 years. Its main purpose was to understand how lack of sleep affects the thinking ability (cognitive functions) of children.

It is very important to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep

Dr. Paul described sleep as a fundamental biological requirement and said that it is very important for good functioning of the brain, better memory, physical immune system and better performance. He stressed that every child must get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day, so that their mental and physical balance is maintained.

He also said that in today's educational environment, lack of sleep is seriously affecting the health of children. There are many reasons behind this problem, the biggest reason being screen time. Excessive use of devices like mobile phones, tablets, laptops and TV has become the biggest obstacle in children's sleep. Using social media till late night, playing video games or watching online content is disturbing the natural sleeping and waking time of children.

Symptoms of depression found in 60 percent children

The figures of this report are even more shocking. It was found that about 22.5 percent of children do not get enough sleep, which is a big problem. Not only this, 60 percent of the children who participated in it were found to have symptoms of depression, while 65.7 percent of the participants showed cognitive weakness, i.e. a decline in the abilities to think and understand. It is clear from this that lack of sleep is not only the cause of fatigue or laziness, but it can also become the root of serious mental and intellectual problems. Lack of sleep in children also affects their concentration, emotional balance and study performance.

Dr. Latika Bhalla, Senior Consultant and Pediatrician, Institute of Child Health at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that this report brings out a worrying truth. She said that due to lack of adequate sleep, children are facing mental instability, which is also affecting their studies. This situation can have a serious impact on their career and life in the long run. The report also stated that not only excessive use of screen time, but also the strict routine of school, academic pressure and family lifestyle are also affecting the sleep of children. If children go to school early in the morning and are busy with homework or tuition till late at night, they do not get enough sleep.

Schools should make timetables keeping in mind children's sleep

Therefore, it is necessary that schools, families and policy makers solve this problem together. Schools should make timetables keeping in mind children's sleep. Parents should pay special attention to the sleeping and waking time of children and create an environment at home that encourages good sleep. Dr. Paul also said that if we want our children to become intelligent, capable and self-reliant, then we have to give priority to their sleep. Sleep should be made a part of health policy just like education and nutrition.