Rhode Island Kids Are Losing Sleep, and Parents May Not Realize It

If you are convinced your child is getting enough sleep, you are probably not alone, but you might be mistaken. A new study led by Brown University researcher Dr. Diana Grigsby-Toussaint reveals that while most Rhode Island parents believe their children are logging the recommended hours of sleep, only a small percentage actually are.

Published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, the study followed children between the ages of six and ten, tracking their sleep with wrist-worn devices and comparing the data to what parents reported. The results showed a clear gap between perception and reality. “Parents generally overestimate sleep duration and underestimate how long children are awake after going to bed,” explains Grigsby-Toussaint. “What we found is that kids, especially those in Latino households, are not getting the amount or quality of sleep they need.”

Only about 4% of Latino children in the study met the recommended sleep guidelines, compared to nearly 23% of non-Latino children. Cultural routines, later bedtimes, and evening screen time may play a role, but the biggest takeaway, says Grigsby-Toussaint, is awareness. “Sleep is foundational for learning, focus, and emotional well-being,” she notes. “Once parents understand what is really happening, they can start building healthier routines.”

So what can families do to help their kids get better rest? Grigsby-Toussaint recommends setting consistent bedtimes and wake-up times, even on weekends, and creating a calm evening routine that swaps screen time for reading or quiet music. Bedrooms should be kept cool, dark, and free of distractions, and caffeine or heavy snacks should be avoided close to bedtime. Perhaps most importantly, she says, parents should model good habits by prioritizing their own sleep too.

As Rhode Island families settle into the rhythm of the school year, Grigsby-Toussaint hopes this research will spark more open conversations at home. “Sleep should not be an afterthought,” she says. “It is one of the most powerful tools we have for helping children thrive.”

Additional Brown-affiliated authors include Aliana Rodriguez Acevedo, Diane Story, Lovisa Werner, David H. Barker, John E. McGeary, and Shira I. Dunsiger. The full study is available online at Frontiersin.org. Learn more about Brown University’s research at Brown.edu.