How Much Sleep Do School-Age Kids Need? How to Build a Bedtime Routine
The recommended sleep for elementary-school children (ages 6–12) is 9–12 hours a day, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The Korean Sleep Research Society suggests 9–11 hours for ages 6–13. The AAP advises turning off screens an hour before bed and building a bedtime routine like “brush, book, bed” early on.
How much sleep do children need at each age?
| Age | AASM · AAP | Korean Sleep Research Society |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 3–5 | 10–13 hours (including naps) | 10–13 hours |
| Ages 6–12 (elementary) | 9–12 hours | 9–11 hours (ages 6–13) |
| Ages 13–18 | 8–10 hours | 8–10 hours (ages 14–17) |
For elementary-school children, the two organizations agree on the lower end (9 hours) and differ only slightly at the upper end. The Korean Sleep Research Society presents guidelines based on the methods of the US National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Either way, at least 9 hours is common to both.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine explains that regularly getting the recommended amount of sleep is linked to better health outcomes, including attention, behavior, learning, memory and emotional regulation.
How do you build a bedtime routine?
- In the order “brush → book → bed”: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises building a bedtime routine such as “brush, book, bed” early on for young children.
- Screens off an hour before sleep: The AAP advises turning off all electronic devices at least 60 minutes before bedtime.
- Keep screens out of the child's room: The AAP recommends keeping TVs, computers, tablets and phones out of children's rooms, especially at night.
- Count backward to set bedtime: An elementary-school child who wakes up at 7 a.m. needs to be asleep before 10 p.m. to get 9 hours or more. For example: screens off at 9 → brush and book at 9:30 → asleep before 10.
How do you stick to an evening routine every day?
A bedtime routine takes hold when it repeats in the same order every day. Setting evening brushing and reading as daily missions creates a signal that says “it's almost time to sleep.”
Frequently asked questions
What time should elementary-school kids go to bed?
There's no set time, but the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend 9–12 hours a day for ages 6–12. Count back at least 9 hours from your child's wake-up time to set a bedtime.
Can my child watch videos on a tablet before bed?
The AAP advises turning off all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime and keeping screens out of children's rooms, especially at night.
Is it okay to catch up on sleep on weekends?
The organizations base their recommendations on daily sleep time. Rather than making up for lost weekday sleep only on weekends, it's better to build a routine that meets the recommended hours every day.
References
This article provides general parenting information based on materials from official organizations and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. If you're concerned about your child's health or development, consult a specialist such as a pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
