How Many Hours of Sleep Does My Child Need?

Each individual is different, but these are general guidelines.   Usually a sign that someone is operating on a sleep deficit is that he/she falls asleep easily during the daytime when not actively engaged in something (e.g. a class that they aren't quite as focused on, car rides in town).

Kids need sleep to allow their bodies to grow, heal from injury and disease, and consolidate short term memories into long term memories.  It makes sense that since they are learning so much and growing so much at these ages, that they therefore need more than the 8 hours of sleep we are used to saying is enough for an adult!