With MAP testing right around the corner it is important to help students establish consistent and
healthy habits before testing begins.While we always put an emphasis on sleep and eating
healthy during testing these healthy habits can benefit students year round. Adequate sleep,
healthy diet, and setting limits with devices can help students concentrate at school and promote
good mental health.
How much sleep do students need each night? According to the National Sleep Foundation
school age children and teens need between 8-10 hours of sleep each night. With busy schedules
filled with activities and homework it may not always be realistic to get that much sleep at night.
It is still important to set a bedtime and help your students meet that goal as often as possible. 8-
10 hours is a great goal to set even if it isn’t met each and every night.
The most important meal of the day. It is widely known that an empty stomach makes it hard to
concentrate on tasks at work or at school. Making sure your student has a good breakfast will
help them pay attention in class, be less irritable and avoid behavior struggles. A healthy
breakfast can be as easy as a bowl of cereal with milk, fruit and cheese, or eggs and toast. What’s
important is that some kind food options are always available. Trenton R-IX offers a hot healthy
breakfast every morning for our students.
Say good night to devices. Phones, tablets, and gaming consoles are without question a part of
everyday life for most kids (and adults). They can be used for education and entertainment both
but it is important to shut them down before bed. Many students have inconsistent sleep due to
overuse of devices. Experts recommend that everyone shut off devices and electronics one hour
before bedtime.
I encourage you to help your student develop these healthy habits for success throughout the
school year as well as testing season.