Are Long School Hours Bad for Children? What Are the Effects?

Kapanlagi.com - Amid the busy school days that fill children's lives, one important question arises: is a long school day really good for them? It turns out that the negative impact of long school hours goes beyond just fatigue, but also touches various aspects of children's lives.

School hours that start too early force children to wake up earlier, leading to insufficient sleep. As we know, chronic lack of sleep can cause various health problems, ranging from fatigue to serious disease risks. Children, especially those in elementary school, need about 9-11 hours of sleep to maintain their health.

Moreover, physical fatigue from long and packed school days makes children more vulnerable to illness. So, what are the effects of these long school hours?

Physical Impact: Sleep Deprivation

Many know that sleep is the key to health. Unfortunately, long school hours cause children to lose valuable sleep time. This can result in fatigue, decreased immunity, and even increase the risk of serious diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Chronic Fatigue: The Main Enemy of Children

Busy days filled with school activities and extracurriculars often leave children feeling prolonged physical fatigue. This fatigue not only disrupts their health but also reduces their ability to learn effectively.

Health Issues Lurking

Lack of sleep and physical fatigue can also lead to various health problems, such as headaches and digestive issues. Children who do not get enough sleep are also at risk of experiencing unhealthy weight loss.

Mental and Emotional Impact: Haunting Stress

Stress and anxiety become familiar companions for children trapped in long school hours. High academic pressure can negatively affect their mental health, even increasing the risk of depression.

Lack of Motivation and Learning Enthusiasm

When children feel tired and stressed, their enthusiasm for learning can drop drastically. They may feel bored and lose interest in subjects that should be engaging.

Emotional Disturbance: Disruptive Instability

Children who are sleep-deprived and fatigued tend to be more easily angered and experience other emotional disturbances. This can affect their relationships with parents and peers, creating tension in social interactions.

Social Impact: Losing Precious Moments

Long school hours reduce children's time to socialize with peers and family. Minimal social interaction can hinder their emotional and social development.

Time for Other Activities: Stifled Creativity

Children trapped in a packed school routine often do not have enough time to play, exercise, or explore their interests. Their creativity and innovation can be stifled.

Family Interaction: Growing Distance

Late school dismissal times make children lose precious time to interact with family. This can negatively impact family bonds and relationships among family members.

With all the negative effects caused, it's time for various parties to reconsider the current school hours. It is important for schools and parents to create a balanced learning time, providing enough time for rest, play, and other activities that support children's growth in a balanced way.

(kpl/tmi)