An interesting experiment is being conducted in a school in the Japanese town of Yuto in Kumamoto Prefecture: here elementary and high school students are allowed to fall asleep in class. Even more, children are encouraged for a good day's sleep!
The announcement of the sleep hour takes place every day at lunchtime by radio - here it is called "Yutoyuto time". The attendants close the curtains and turn off the lights, soft relaxing music turns on, the children take their seats, some of them even bring pillows with them to make themselves comfortable on the desk. Sleep takes exactly 10 minutes - then the light is turned on, the curtains are pulled apart, and students return to their classes.
The author of this method was a local teacher Yuichi Goto: in his opinion, a short nap helps to overcome the drowsiness accumulated over half a day.
Sleepy hour was introduced almost 10 years ago. Classes in schools began early in the morning - at 7.30, and it is not surprising that many schoolchildren almost fell asleep by noon. Yuichi Goto conducted a survey that showed that 90% of students experience sleepiness, and more than half struggled with sleep in afternoon classes.
The teacher found support at the Department of Sleep Medicine at the University of Tsukuba and proposed the "sleep" method to the school management. Already in the first weeks of testing, it showed itself on the positive side, the positive effect was noted by both schoolchildren and teachers. Daytime sleep improved concentration, academic performance, fewer children began to go to medical offices.
Would you be happy with an officially allowed daytime nap?
