In one column, record lights-out time during the school week and on weekends or vacation days. In a second column, record sleep latency — that is, how long it takes them to fall asleep. And in the third column, record wake-up time, noting whether arousal occurs naturally or with an alarm (or dousing with cold water!).
While it’s true that sleep needs vary from one person to another, there are some very reasonable, science-based guidelines to help you determine whether children are getting the sleep they need to function at their best in school and at play and to get along well with friends and relations.