Sleep expert James Maas says kids aren't getting enough sleep. How many hours of nightly sleep do children need?

- Young children / 9

- Teenagers and college-age / 9.25

Why is it important? When children don't get enough sleep they are:

- More forgetful, more irritable, don't learn as well, more prone to mistakes, more clumsy

How can your child get more sleep? (Tips from James Maas)

- Go to bed at the same time every night.

- Get up at the same time every day.

- Have a quiet, dark and cool bedroom.

- Sleep on a good pillow and mattress.

- Exercise during the day... but not within one hour of bedtime.

- Eat right.

- No caffeine after 2 p.m.

- No eating close to bedtime.

- No TV or video games within one hour of bedtime.

- Take a warm bath before bed.

- Read a story at bedtime.

This article courtesy of FamilyFirst.net (http://www.familyfirst.net/).