Parents' questions about the best time to complete school assignments, whether immediately after returning from school or postponing them to the evening, have been raised, given the connection to sleep factors, circadian rhythm, and cognitive abilities.
A Dutch study on children aged 10 to 12 showed performance differences depending on the timing of the test, indicating that reduced concentration may be linked to fatigue and the length of the school day, prompting parents to organize study times according to the child's response and allow for rest breaks.
In the same context, a German systematic review covering 26 studies indicated that a morning preference was associated with better academic achievement, while an evening preference was linked to lower achievement in some contexts. An Argentine study also found that aligning school schedules with students' chronotypes was associated with academic performance, especially in mathematics.
For his part, a Portuguese study in 2024 showed that children's performance on tasks requiring switching between word categories was better in the morning compared to the afternoon, helping parents choose appropriate times for tasks requiring greater concentration, such as understanding new lessons.
A Dutch meta-analysis added that there is a positive correlation between sleep duration and cognitive performance in children, while a Chinese study linked increased homework loads to delayed bedtime and shorter sleep duration, emphasizing the importance of organizing study to allow task completion while maintaining rest and sufficient sleep.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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