A teacher's simple guide to children's bedtimes has gone viral, sparking a heated debate among parents across the UK over the ideal amount of nightly sleep for youngsters.
The Viral Sleep Schedule That Divided Opinion
The chart, originally shared by educator Stacy Karlsen from Wilson Elementary School and later circulated widely on social media, provides specific bedtimes based on a child's age and wake-up time. For example, it suggests a seven-year-old needing to rise at 7am should be in bed by 8:15pm, while a 10-year-old getting up at 6:30am should be tucked in by 8:30pm.
Speaking to Fox6Now about the unexpected reaction, Karlsen expressed her surprise. "To me, it was a shock [that the post was shared so much]. I didn't make it up. I found it coming across my personal page and I thought, 'Wow, this is super helpful'."
Parental Backlash and Support
The strict schedule received a mixed reception from parents. Some, like one mother of four, found it validating. "I have four kids - and I catch a lot of flack for their bedtimes," she explained. "I started out setting their bedtime years ago based on how much sleep they need... Glad to see this chart justify the exact times we have already set."
However, many others criticised the guidelines as overly rigid. One parent compared it to military discipline, arguing: "This isn't the military and if I was to send my kids to bed at 7 at night they would be up at 4 a.m. No thank you. Plus I would never get to spend time with them after school." Another simply stated: "I'm sorry, but this chart is absurd. Who puts their kid to bed at 6:45?"
Further criticism centred on the chart's lack of flexibility, with parents pointing out that factors like seasonal changes, afternoon naps, and individual child differences should influence bedtime.
Official Sleep Recommendations from Experts
While the viral chart simplifies timings, official guidance from institutions like Great Ormond Street Hospital offers a broader framework for how much sleep children need. Their recommendations, which include naps for younger children, are as follows:
- Infants (4-12 months): 12 to 16 hours of sleep per 24 hours.
- Toddlers (1-2 years): 11 to 14 hours.
- Pre-schoolers (3-5 years): 10 to 13 hours.
- School-age children (6-12 years): 9 to 12 hours.
- Teenagers (13-18 years): 8 to 10 hours.
The core message from health professionals remains that ensuring children get sufficient, quality sleep is crucial for their development, wellbeing, and ability to learn, even if the exact hour of lights-out varies from family to family.
