HALT

Last week while listening to a podcast I was reminded of an acronym that helps with checking in. It is something that I do nearly daily with students.

 H.A.L.T.  

When you are over whelmed and you don't know why... H.A.L.T. 

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

Tired

These are the questions that I find are my go-to with students engaging in an early morning struggle. Here at school we can help feed a hungry student. We can help identify the source of anger and build skills to improve how it might be handled. We can also help students connect with each other and build relationships when they are feelings lonely.

Tired. 

This last one is a challenge and we can help but that means a student misses out on learning opportunities if we provide time and space for sleep. 

School-aged children are reported to need 9-11 hours of sleep. The younger the student the more sleep they need. One study out of Michigan State University found that those who are sleep deprived more likely to make mistakes and do poorly in school. Often times when we hear "sleep deprived" we imagine someone getting 1-2 hours of sleep at night. This is not the case. Studies show that when we lose about two hours of recommended hours of sleep we are sleep deprived. That means sleep deprivation will set in for a child who needs 11 hours of sleep but only gets 9.

Below is a chart that can help you gage a good bedtime for students. 

An example from the chart is a 7 year old who needs to wake up by 6:30am would benefit from being in bed by 7:30pm. 

Starting a sleep routine as we come back after spring break may help your student make great strides towards a better end to the school year.