• Most of Us Get Less Sleep than We Need
• Harry Potter Book Series Can Stimulate Cognitive Development in Young Learners

Most of Us Get Less Sleep Than We Need

Sleep deprivation is a pervasive problem, popularized by those on Wall Street, in political compaigns and technology start-up ventures. Our drive for success can affect our youngsters as guilt-ridden parents schedule activities after school, into the night, through weekends and summers fearing their children will be left behind.

• In March 2000, the National Sleep Foundation released its 2000 Omnibus Sleep in America Poll, revealing that only 33% of adults get the recommended 8 hours and that 33% get fewer than 6.5 hours. 68% stated that drowsiness interfered with their concentration. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/NSAW/poll.html

• A Harvard Medical School study published in the December 2000 issue of Nature Neuroscience confirms that sleep is vital to learning and can affect memory and performance. http://www.nature.com/neuro/

• Harvard University college admissions officers provide advice to incoming students with an article Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation. http://adm-is.fas.harvard.edu/timeoff.htm

Harry Potter Book Series Can Stimulate Cognitive Development in Young Learners

In his on-line newsletter, The Learning Brain, Eric Jensen points out that fantasy characters such as Harry Potter can teach children acceptable behavior by helping them expose conflicts, doubts, and frustrations. Fantasy stories can reduce anxiety and help children develop a personal view of themselves and the world. He notes that researchers such as C. A. Richards and Jennifer Sanderson report that fairy tales are an effective way for a child to express and experience inner thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, following the twists and turns of a fairy tale's plot, a process that stimulates the frontal lobe, is known to enhance recall, comprehension, reasoning skills, and meaning.

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Updated Decembr 18, 2000