How much sleep does an 8-year-old need?

An 8-year-old generally needs between 9 and 12 hours of sleep each night. Many children in this age group feel and perform best with around 10 hours. A regular schedule supports learning, memory, behavior and physical recovery. Calculate bedtime by starting with the required morning wake-up time and counting backward. For example, an 8-year-old who must wake at 6:45 a.m. and needs 10 hours should ideally be asleep by 8:45 p.m. The bedtime routine should begin before that. Avoid letting homework, activities or screens regularly push sleep later. If your child is difficult to wake, becomes unusually emotional, lacks energy or falls asleep during quiet activities, they may not be getting enough rest.