Rested & Ready to Learn for Sleep

This trial explores a new sleep promotion program called "Rested & Ready to Learn," designed to help young children transition smoothly into kindergarten by improving their sleep habits. The program includes text messages for parents, fun home activities for families, and short classroom lessons to encourage better sleep. It suits families with children aged 4-6 in a participating school's 4-year-old kindergarten class. Parents must be willing to complete surveys in English and have a mobile phone for receiving texts. Participants in the control group will receive the program only after the study's assessments are completed.

As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to innovative educational research that could enhance children's readiness for school.

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

Research shows that sleep programs like the Rested & Ready to Learn program are generally safe. Studies on similar programs in workplaces and schools have found improvements in sleep and mental health without major safety issues.

The Rested & Ready to Learn program includes text messages for parents, activities to do at home, and short lessons in class. These components aim to improve sleep habits and are usually well-received. Current evidence from similar programs suggests they are safe and enhance sleep without causing harm.

Researchers are excited about the Rested & Ready to Learn program because it takes a comprehensive approach to improving children's sleep, which is different from traditional methods like sleep hygiene education or behavioral therapy. This program uniquely combines text message reminders for parents, engaging home activities for families, and classroom lessons, making it a more interactive and holistic solution. By actively involving both parents and children, it aims to create lasting sleep habits that could enhance learning and overall well-being.

Research has shown that sleep programs can improve children's sleep habits. One study found that children in a sleep education program developed better sleep hygiene. Another study discovered that after learning about sleep hygiene, children experienced more deep sleep and fewer restless moments. These findings suggest that programs like Rested & Ready to Learn, currently tested in this trial and involving both school and home activities, can help children start kindergarten with better sleep routines. Overall, the evidence supports that structured sleep programs can enhance sleep quality and readiness in young children.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹