It’s 9 pm, the dishes are done, the TV’s humming softly in the background, and your child is wide awake (and if you’re me, your two boy toddlers are awake and loud).
See, you have tried to instil some dot of bedtime routine for your kids and have been 50% successful. What you need to understand is that kids require different hours of sleep according to their age.
The Sleep Foundation agrees that children’s sleep needs vary widely depending on their age. Toddlers between 1 and 2 years old should clock in around 11 to 14 hours per day, including naps.
Preschoolers need slightly less—about 10 to 13 hours—while school-aged kids from 6 to 12 thrive on 9 to 12 hours of solid sleep, the foundation explains.
Teenagers, often unfairly labelled as lazy, are said to actually require 8 to 10 hours of shut-eye to function at their best.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention states that sleep isn’t just about feeling rested. It plays a critical role in growth, brain development, emotional regulation, and even immune function. It is mentioned that when kids are running low on sleep, it can show up as mood swings, trouble concentrating, or even hyperactivity—yes, tired kids can look strangely energetic.
Fortunately, a consistent bedtime routine really does work. According to the Mayo Clinic, calming activities like reading, dimming the lights, and avoiding screens before bed can signal to your child’s body that it’s time to wind down. It’s not about being rigid with the clock, but about creating habits that make bedtime less of a battlefield and more of a gentle landing.
So next time you’re debating whether to let them stay up for just one more episode of Bluey, remember this: well-rested kids aren’t just easier to live with—they’re healthier, happier, and more ready to take on the world.
