In a recent study published in Cell Reports, researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University in China revealed that just 15 additional minutes of sleep each night could significantly enhance brain function in children aged 11 to 14. The findings suggest that even a slight increase in sleep duration may contribute to measurable improvements in cognitive abilities and brain development.
The study analyzed data from over 3,300 children as part of the long-term “ABCD” study (Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development). Children who got slightly more sleep—sometimes only minutes more than their peers—performed better in vocabulary, reading comprehension, problem-solving, and focus tests.
Brain imaging through MRI scans revealed more connected and organized brain structures in these children, especially in the cortex—responsible for planning, memory, and language—and deeper brain regions associated with emotion and motivation.
Dr. Cheng Wei, lead researcher from Fudan University, emphasized that while the data doesn’t definitively prove causation, it aligns with previous research highlighting the vital role of sleep in memory consolidation and cognitive growth.
Interestingly, none of the participating children met the recommended minimum sleep duration of 8 to 10 hours. The group with the most sleep averaged only 7 hours and 25 minutes but still outperformed their peers in mental tasks and exhibited calmer nighttime heart rates—an indicator of better overall health.
Dr. Cheng Ma, also from Fudan University, pointed to the urgent need to understand why so many children are falling short on sleep. Is it due to smartphones, video games, social media, or disruptions to their biological clocks?
These insights come amid troubling trends. According to the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children report, the number of 11-year-old girls in the UK who experience sleep deprivation serious enough to impact focus has tripled between 2014 and 2022.
The message is clear: even small improvements in children’s sleep habits could have a big impact on their mental and physical well-being.
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