Experts say sleep deprivation is a problem in our classrooms and can even lead to more teenager traffic accidents. Bob Whitman, PhD, director of the sleep lab at The University of Kansas Hospital, offers these sleep guidelines for your child based on age. Children 3 to 6 need 10 to 12 hours of sleep; Children 7-12 need 10-11 hours of sleep; Children 13-18 need 8 to 9 hours sleep. Dr. Whitman confirms keeping kids up late for will affect the students in the classroom.