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About the Star Sleeper Campaign
For Kids
Check out our kids section where our Star Sleeper Squad unravels the mysteries of good sleep!
photo of Garfield Star Sleeper
Star Sleeper Gear
Fun, interactive, and easy-to-use sleep education tools for children:
Garfield Star Sleeper Fun Pad
Garfield Star Sleeper Plush Doll

In February 2001, the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute launched the Sleep Well. Do Well. Star Sleeper Campaign to educate America's children – and their parents, educators, and healthcare providers – about the importance of adequate nighttime sleep. The goal is to reach children at a time when many of the habits affecting their life-long health, well-being, and productivity are being shaped with the message that they need at least nine hours of sleep each night to do their best in school and other activities.

The Campaign is co-sponsored by Paws, Inc., the corporate entity behind Garfield the Cat, and Garfield serves as the campaign's official "spokescat."

A growing body of scientific evidence shows that inadequate sleep results in tiredness, irritability, easy frustration, and difficulties with focusing attention and modulating impulses and emotions. In children, inadequate sleep may lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, interfering with a child's ability to learn in school and perform well in other activities. Many children with chronic sleep deprivation may not seem sleepy and may even appear to be overactive. Chronic sleep loss in these children may be overlooked or erroneously attributed to hyperactivity or behavior disorders.

The Campaign is providing tools and activities for partners who can reach children in school and other activities with messages about the importance of sleep. Founding partners were the American Academy of Pediatricians, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

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