Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is c) 12; 10, indicating that preschoolers need about 12 hours of sleep whereas children starting school need about 10 hours. Sleep requirements decrease with age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preschoolers need about 12 hours of sleep, while children beginning school require about 10 hours of sleep. The correct answer to the question is c) 12; 10. Sleep is a critical component of health and well-being, especially in children who are growing and developing at a rapid pace.
Insufficient sleep can lead to a variety of health issues, including decreased levels of alertness and mental efficiency. According to the National Sleep Foundation, as children grow older, the amount of sleep they require generally decreases. Newborns, for example, need the most sleep, ranging from 12 to 18 hours per night, which gradually reduces to roughly 7-9 hours by adulthood.