how much sleep should a 12 year old girl need?

Question

my friends daughter is staying with me she sleeps 10 to 14 hours a night and wants to nap daily is this a sign of something?

Answer 1

Here is what http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/how_much_sleep.html has to say about it:
"Most teens need about 8 1/2 to more than 9 hours of sleep each night. The right amount of sleep is essential for anyone who wants to do well on a test or play sports without tripping over their feet. Unfortunately, though, many teens don't get enough sleep.

Why Aren't Teens Getting Enough Sleep?
Until recently, teens were often given a bad rap for staying up late, oversleeping for school, and falling asleep in class. But recent studies show that adolescent sleep patterns actually differ from those of adults or kids.

These studies show that during the teen years, the body's circadian (pronounced: sur-kay-dee-un) rhythm (sort of like an internal biological clock) is reset, telling a person to fall asleep later and wake up later. Unlike kids and adults, whose bodies tell them to go to sleep and wake up earlier, most teens' bodies tell them go to sleep late at night and sleep into the late morning. This change in the circadian rhythm seems to be due to the fact that melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleeping and waking patterns, is produced later at night for teens than it is for kids and adults. This can make it harder for teens to fall asleep early.

These changes in the body's circadian rhythm coincide with a time when we're busier than ever. For most teens, the pressure to do well in school is more intense than when they were kids, and it's harder to get by without studying hard. But teens also have other demands on their time - everything from sports and other extracurricular activities to fitting in a part-time job to save money for college.

Early start times in some schools also play a role in this sleep deficit. Teens who fall asleep after midnight may still have to get up early for school, meaning that they may only squeeze in 6 or 7 hours of sleep a night. An hour or 2 of missed sleep a night may not seem like a big deal, but it can create a noticeable sleep deficit over time."
You can read more about the sleep needs of children at the above website. Good Luck!

Answer 2

That sounds like an excessive amount to me but im the kind of person that can function on 4 hours. When i was about that age i would sleep for 10-12 hours a night but i would be tired during the day. Often getting too much sleep can make you tired.....for a 12 year old 8-9 hours should be fine. It could also be a sign of mono. She should go see a doctor

Answer 3

I would say about 9-12 I am a 12 year old girl myself and I can t function on just 8 hours ITS IMPOSSIBLE

Answer 4

I would say about 10 hours a night. More then an adult who needs 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

Too much sleep is not good for her and could be a sign of depression.

Answer 5

That she needs a lot of sleep. I can sleep about 5 hours a day and feel fine while my best mate of the same age needs like 3 times that

Answer 6

7 to 8 hrs of sleep

Answer 7

I would think at least 8, but considering the teenage years (she is close) are a big growth period - maybe up to 10 or so.

Answer 8

I think growing kids need 8-10 hrs of sleep - 8 at the very least as they get older!! Six hours of sleep isn't good for anyone at ANY age!

Answer 9

10-12 hours a night. Kids need the extra sleep because of their activity level and their growing bodies.

Answer 10

at least 8 if they are going to school and cant sleep in