Is your child getting enough sleep? Here's why the number of hours your child sleeps matters

702's Gugs Mhlungu spoke to resident human potential and parenting expert, Nikki Bush. 

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.

World Sleep Day, observed in March, highlights the crucial role that sleep plays in health and well-being. 

This year's theme is "Make Sleep Health a Priority."

According to Bush, adequate sleep is vital for children's bodies and brains, as it allows them to rest, repair, and grow. 

She emphasises that sleep is like giving the brain a thorough cleanse, ensuring it remains in optimal condition. 

"When we go to sleep, there is rest, repair, regulation and restoration."

 - Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert

"The latest neuroscience tells us that sufficient sleep is an essential ingredient in sustaining good health in our children and to balance their rapid growth and boost their immune systems." 

- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert

So, how many hours of sleep should your child be getting? It varies by age group.

Bush recommends the following:

Under 5 years old - up to 11 hours or more of sleep

Ages 5 to 10 - 10 hours or more

Ages 10 and up (including teenagers) - 9 hours or more 

Bush notes some concerns regarding current sleep practices. 

"Unfortunately, what's actually happening is because of parental busyness, children are being allowed to stay up later to spend time either with their parents whom they haven't seen all day...or, and this is actually an increasing problem, children are actually being left to fall asleep in front of the TV screen instead of being put to bed - so that whole self-regulation cycle is being upset..."  

- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert

"Sleep is one of those life skills that we have to teach our children..."  

- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation