ABSTRACT
Across ages, cultures, subjects, and teachers, the most universally impactful variable on learning happens at home and at night: sleep. Sufficient quality sleep is essential to academic success. Note that sleeping significantly more or less than these durations can both impair cognitive function. The average timing and duration of sleep is a function of circadian rhythm, which changes with age. Teachers can also promote strategies for quality sleep with students and parents, such as maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends; create a dark, quiet sleeping environment; do not exercise before bedtime; and avoid blue light from phones, televisions, and LED clocks a minimum of two hours before bedtime. When school start times for this group are delayed until 9:30 am, the benefit is equivalent to replacing a highly ineffective teacher with a highly effective teacher.
