Teaching Kids Their ABZzzzzs

(HealthScoutNews) -- The Sandman is getting some help from the U.S. government.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently launched a new and expanded Web site to educate young children, parents, teachers and doctors about the importance of adequate nighttime sleep for children. The site, called Mission Z, is hosted by the cartoon cat Garfield.

Mission Z features on online mystery for children to solve and has a pillowcase full of other games and downloadable features that offer information about the importance of a good night's sleep.

The site also has resources for parents, teachers and pediatricians that they can use to ensure kids get the sleep they need.

Here's where to go to find Mission Z.

It's part of the NHLBI's five-year educational effort called the "Sleep Well. Do Well. Star Sleeper Campaign." It's promoting the message that children need at least nine hours of sleep each night for their health and safety, and for them to do their best in school and other activities.

"The goal of the campaign and its Web site is to provide fun and engaging experiences that will help children understand that sleep is important. If they adopt this philosophy when they are young, we will have a better chance of protecting them against drowsy driving crashes and other serious accidents when they become adolescents," says Dr. Claude Lenfant, NHLBI director.

More information

The National Sleep Foundation has more on the importance of sleep.

Reference Source 101

For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick Prevention Resources".