After three months of summer vacation, most families need help transitioning their children to their back-to-school routines and getting them off to a healthy start. Following are some tips from the experts at Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida on starting the school year off right.
- Find out what health checkups your child’s school requires. Most require that certain vaccines be administered before they can attend classes. Don’t wait until the last week before school starts to make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician, appointments fill-up quickly before the start of the year
- Besides visiting your child’s pediatrician, back-to-school season is also a good time for setting other doctor’s appointments, including the dentist, optometrist, or ophthalmologist
- Make sure that your child’s school is aware of any medical conditions that your child may have, including allergies, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or vision problems. Make arrangements for the school to administer any medications that they may need during class
- Healthy eating is crucial for a successful school year. Make sure that your child’s eating habits are back-on-track before the new school year starts by reintroducing healthier meals and making them aware of the benefits of nutritious options so they can start making better choices on their own
- As the new school year approaches, it is imperative to get kids back to a regular sleep schedule, check with your pediatrician to see how much sleep your child should be getting according to their age. Most kids need about two weeks to become accustomed to a new sleep routine
- Anxiety can be a problem, especially if children are heading to a new school with new classmates. Encourage your kids to discuss any anxieties they may be experiencing
- Computer screens keep children’s minds stimulated longer than intended, start limiting your child’s play time in front of computers, cellphones, and tablets as back-to-school season approaches
- Make regular physical activity part of your child’s back-to-school routine. Exercise supports overall well-being, a healthier immune system, and helps kids stay alert and focused when they get back to class
- Go a step further by encouraging your child to sign-up for a sport they enjoy. Participating in team sports has lots of benefits, including physical and mental health, stress reduction, and an increase in self-confidence. Check if your child’s school requires a sports physical and schedule it before the school year starts
- Make sure that your child’s backpack isn’t hurting their back. Choose a sturdy backpack with good built-in support and thick padded shoulder straps. Teach your child how to spread the weight of the bag evenly