Wake Up, Kids! Children, Sleep, & School

What teenager hasn't slept in until Noon on a weekend?

It comes as no surprise when you consider that teens need more sleep then their younger counterparts. So why, then, do we ask teens to be the ones to start the school day, as early as 7 a.m.? Why do their elementary-aged sisters and brothers get to start school later?

Friday in the first portion of Up to Date, Steve Kraske talks with two physicians about children, teens, and sleep. Stephen Lauer, Vice chairman for clinical affairs with the University of Kansas Hospital and Dr. Robert Beckerman, Section Chief of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Children's Mercy Hospital explain how much sleep kids should get versus the amount they normally do receive, what parents can do to help ensure that their children get more, and how sleep affects learning.

We'll also talk with Kyla Wahlstrom, Director for Center for Applied Research and Education Improvement at the University of Minnesota about her team's research into later start times for high school students.