Funding outcome

Adequate sleep helps children to have more energy to be involved in daily activities and easily remember what they learn in school. However, children now sleep much less than children did 20 years ago. Computers, cellphones and tablets are few of many electronic devices that have become very popular and are likely to further affect sleep. School principals and teachers in the Parkland School Division of Alberta are worried about the increasing number of children that are tired in morning classes and appear sleepy during the school day. This has increased my interest to know if children are sleeping well in Parkland County. I will begin by asking grade 4 and 5 children in schools to answer questions on the internet about their sleep, their activities and the foods they eat. I will ask them to wear a sleep and activity band for 7 days. This band looks like a big watch that is worn on the wrist during the day and at night and counts the number of steps taken during the day and how long and well someone sleeps at night. After 7 days, I will put the schools into two groups. In the first group, I will try different ways to help the children get better sleep. In the second group, I will do nothing. Children in the first group will get announcements in class about what to do to sleep better at night and feel less tired during the day. Also, three lessons will be taught in class about sleep. I will give parents of these children tips about changes they can make in their home to sleep better. One month later, I will ask parents what changes they made to their home to help their child sleep better. The children in all schools will again answer questions on the internet about their sleep, their activities and the foods they eat. The children will be asked to wear a sleep and activity band again for 7 days. I will compare changes in sleep, steps and foods between the two groups of schools to decide if what I did in the first group of schools helped children sleep better. Children who take part will get a report about their sleep and physical activity. Participating schools will get sleep, physical activity and diet reports of all their students combined.