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107
Report on Tiredness in
School Children
By Dr. D. H. Geffen and Dr. G. Forrester.
The investigations on which this report is based were originally
made to ascertain the correctness of the following statement:—
"Children attend school on Monday morning more tired than on
other days." This is a statement which we have heard on frequent
occasions.
The conclusions reached are based on the statements of the
teachers who have helped us, but are not necessarily our own
opinions. In all we received 266 reports embracing:—
Senior Children 2,877
Junior Children 3,249
Infants 2,590
Whilst many teachers were satisfied that a child's week-end
instead of being a time of rest was a time of increased activity,
resulting in tiredness on Monday, other teachers did not agree that
there was anything to choose between Monday or any other day
in the week. In this respect, therefore, we were unable to substantiate
the statement which initiated this report. Other facts,
however, emerged which we consider to be of great importance.
1. It would appear that habitual late bed-time of children in
all departments is a far greater factor in producing tiredness in
school children than an occasional late night during the week or
over the week-end. This especially applies to younger children and
infants. From the figures we received bed-time was generally too
late, and actually 3.6 per cent, of infants and 6 per cent, of junior
children (i.e., under 11 years of age) were stated to go to bed
between 10 p.m. and 12 p.m.
Teachers generally complained that there were a large number
of social activities in the district which kept children up late. We
would suggest that these activities, many of which are of a beneficial
nature, should be carried out at a time that would allow elementary
school children to go to bed at a reasonable hour.