When is the Optimal School Start Time?

Much like is the case with some adult humans, in the morning our miniature Sapiens often have a preference for expressing themselves in low-pitched, unintelligible grunts, mumbled from within the cavernous darkness of their bedrooms as you try to wake them up. The words might be jumbled, but the meaning is rather clear: ‘It’s too early. I want to sleep. Leave me alone.’ And yet, the adults in charge within the pack have to drag them out of their torpor, stuff their food holes with some semblance of organic nutrition, ensure their body odour is not too pungent so that they aren’t the class smelly kid, and then cart them off to school. From there, their days are filled to the brim with mentally and physically demanding activities, whose timing and frequency are at odds with the kids’ own biology. No surprise then, if they may appear chronically tired, grumpy and irrational. And yet, there is one simple, scientifically proven change that parents, teachers, and society at large could enact to greatly improve their well-being, lower mental health issues, increase their overall physical health metrics, and even help keep more of them alive to reach adulthood- move the time of the start of school slightly later in the morning. Why does this work? What does science specifically say? What are the exact benefits? And what is the optimal school start time according to science? Well, let’s dive into it all shall we? Author: Arnaldo Teodorani Editor: Daven Hiskey Host: Daven Hiskey Producer: Samuel Avila 0:00 Intro 3:38 School Start Times 5:00 But Why? 6:41 An Epidemic 8:30 A Bad Solution 10:20 The Best Solution 11:36 The Data 16:14 A Huge Ancillary Benefit 19:16 Graduation Rates 20:01 Yet More Data Beating Us Over the Head 21:38 Physical Health 21:57 Complications? 23:08 Automobile Accidents 24:39 Mental Health 25:54 Seriously, Stop It 26:20 Optimal Start Time 27:56 Practical Problems? Sponsor note:  Our listeners get 10% off their first month at ⁠betterhelp.com/BrainFoodShow⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices