How much sleep does a 7-year-old need?

A 7-year-old generally needs 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. Many children this age do well with approximately 10 to 11 hours. To calculate bedtime, work backward from the required wake-up time and allow additional time for falling asleep. A child who wakes at 7:00 a.m. and needs 10 hours should be asleep by about 9:00 p.m., meaning the bedtime routine may need to begin around 8:30 p.m. The ideal amount varies between children. A well-rested 7-year-old should usually wake without severe difficulty, remain alert at school and manage emotions reasonably well. Frequent morning struggles, moodiness or weekend oversleeping may indicate that the child needs an earlier bedtime or a more consistent routine.