Is a 4 day school week better for mental health?

While 4-day did make an impact on average years of experience among teachers, it also made a big impact elsewhere. Parents repeatedly emphasize its effect on childrens' mental health and overall well-being. Many Life School students and parents report reduced feelings of stress and burnout.

Why is a 4 day school week better for mental health?

A four day school week will help alleviate some of the rising stress levels in our students, while aiming to enhance student, teacher, and parent mental health. It will help provide better opportunities, allow for time to strengthen families, and shift towards student-centered learning.

Does shorter school days improve mental health?

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, shorter class time could also have positive effects on students' health, such as lower obesity rates, better sleep quality, and fewer mental health issues.

What are the positive effects of a 4 day school week?

Proponents of a four-day school week argue that it offers several benefits, including cost savings, improved student attendance and increased teacher morale. By reducing the number of school days, schools can save money on transportation, food and energy costs.

What are the benefits of a 4 day school week UK?

Students spent more time on school sports, on chores, and on spending time with their families, the study found. They also had more time for sleep, and spent more time on hobbies and homework. A four day school week not only benefits the students but also the teachers.

Why you should take a break: Prioritizing mental health in schools | Hailey Hardcastle | TEDxSalem

What is the downside of a four day school week?

One study found that the four-day week may hurt reading scores more than math scores. A large study released last year found that the shorter schedule held back student achievement in small-town and suburban districts but had little or no effect in rural districts.

What are the pros and cons of a 4 day school week?

How would a 4 day school week affect students mental health?

Parents repeatedly emphasize its effect on childrens' mental health and overall well-being. Many Life School students and parents report reduced feelings of stress and burnout. A shorter school week means fewer days of intense academics, allowing everyone to recharge over the long weekend.

How does a four-day work week affect mental health?

It Reduces Stress and Burnout

The primary mental health benefit of a 4-day work week is the reduction in continuous work pressure. The UK's Four-Day Week Pilot, a 2022 trial program involving 61 companies and around 2,900 employees, assessed the benefits of a 4-day work week.

Is 4 days of school better than 5?

Fewer hours mean lower grades, research shows

Students on a four-day schedule, especially those with the least hours in school, have lower English language arts and math scores than students on a five-day schedule.

Are mental health days from school OK?

Did you know that under a 2021 California law, public school students can take up to five days of excused absences for mental health, no questions asked?

How long school days affect mental health?

With such long hours, it can be difficult for students to make friends and socialize. This can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Should kids have mental health days in school?

While many states have enacted this legislation quite recently, it has already been shown to help children struggling with their mental health. In one survey of over 1,000 parents, conducted by Parents and Verywell Mind: 75% said that mental health days “can be an effective tool to support a child's mental health”

Does a 4 day school week improve sleep?

A trimmed school week can positively affect one of the most basic of all human pursuits—sleep. Elementary school kids on the four-day schedule reported sleeping on average 89 minutes more across the school week than did their five-day school counterparts.

Why students should have Wednesdays off?

Wednesdays are a good day to just catch up and also get ahead. Most students can agree that their schedule is pretty packed during the week and having this day off helps them manage their time. Creating a schedule for Wednesday helps students develop time management skills that will be necessary for their futures.

Should I go to school or take a mental health day?

Taking mental health days — that is, time at home to rest and recharge — can be an important tool to help protect and manage mental health. And giving kids the chance to take them — within reason — can have big benefits.

Can 4-day work week reduce burnout?

A lot of the benefits of the four-day workweek come down to a simple, everyday activity: sleep. In the UK trial, 40% of participants reported fewer sleep issues or insomnia, which in turn helped them feel less stressed, sick, and burned out.

What is the problem with a 4 day week?

Fewer Hours Means Less Time to Get Things Done

While studies have shown that a 4-day workweek can enhance productivity, it also presents a challenge. With fewer hours in the week, there may be limited time to accomplish all necessary tasks.

Are 4 day weeks more productive?

A majority, 81%, of workers say they'd be more productive if they were given the chance to work a four-day workweek, and it could be an even bigger boost for those facing high rates of burnout, according to new research.

Why should school be 5 days a week instead of 4?

Coming to school five days per week provides the best consistency and routine for children, which we believe is fundamental to strong development at this early, formative age.

How is school affecting mental health?

When facing academic stress, adolescents and young adults are more likely to develop anxiety or depression. They also experience less well-being and tend to do poorly in school. When given a better academic situation, or academic support, research suggests that students experience improved mental health.

How does school hours affect students mental health?

Studies show that extra sleep for teenagers actually helps shield them against depression and anxiety. It's true! This study from 2017 showed that teenagers with school starting at 8:30am or later had better mental health than their earlier-starting counterparts.

Do teachers like four-day school week?

Do They Work? Four-day school weeks are increasingly being offered as a way to recruit teachers, but the research is mixed on the advantages and disadvantages of the schedule. Now some states are reconsidering it.

Should school days be shorter pros?

Shorter school days gives the student more time outside of school to accommodate other aspects of their life. This means a student finally has the time to maintain and work on their mental health. Whether this is in the form of getting restful sleep, decompressing, or pursuing hobbies!

Does shortening the school week impact student performance evidence from the four-day school week?

Our results generally indicate a positive relationship between the four-day week and performance in reading and mathematics. These findings suggest there is little evidence that moving to a four-day week compromises student academic achievement.