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It’s that time of the year again – school. This means new teachers, new friends, and learning new things everyday! But it also comes with viruses, colds, and the flu, but these back to school health tips can protect you and your little ones.
Another beautiful summer is coming to an end, and that means school days are right around the corner.
Whether you’re celebrating your upcoming free time or lamenting the loss of time spent with your little ones, chances are you’ve already launched yourself into organization mode.
Good for you for getting a head start!
Why Back to School Health is Important
Now, let’s talk about another important back to school topic: keeping your little ones healthy and well as they transition back into a daily schedule.
It can be difficult for young ones to transition back from their summer mindset to return to school, so it’s important to keep their minds, and their bodies healthy.
From avoiding common colds and flus to feeling vibrant and motivated to learn, this list of smart back to school health strategies and tips will leave all of you feeling better prepared.
1. See Your Doctor for a Physical
Kids need regular checkups to stay healthy, says Medline Plus. Even if you’ve been to the doctor for a specific reason in the last few months, you should still bring your kids in for a full physical before school starts.
Your doctor will measure and examine them to ensure they’re on track, vaccinated, and on target for their age.
2. Visit the Dentist
Little ones can begin suffering from dental problems at a very early age, especially if they have a genetic tie to certain conditions. Kids should start visiting the dentist at around age 3 at the very latest.
Scheduling an appointment right before school starts and right when it ends fits the recommended twice-yearly cleaning schedule perfectly.
Plus, it helps ensure your little one feels comfortable and confident in their smile, which is ideal when you’re meeting and making tons of new friends.
3. See Your Optometrist
Eye health matters. Studies show that most vision problems begin to manifest right around the early school years, making this an important back to school health reminder.
Children may struggle to see the board, leading to poor grades or negative reports from teachers. Or, they may squint and have difficulty following along. Schedule in to see the optometrist to ensure you don’t inadvertently overlook these risks.
It’s best to go at least a couple of weeks before school begins just in case they need time to acclimatize to new spectacles.
4. Follow a Sleep Schedule
Summer is made for lazy days and late nights – and that’s exactly what makes it feel like hell to try and get back on track in the fall. Kids tend to get off-schedule over the summer, so it’s best to use the last couple of weeks of vacation to get everyone sleeping well again.
Set a bedtime and stick to it. It’s okay for kids to stay up a little later on the weekends, but you should try to avoid extending sleep times more than an hour or two in either direction. Otherwise, you may find yourself struggling with a reluctant sleeper every morning before school.
5. Avoid Cold and Flu Transmission
The school environment can admittedly be germy; common colds and flus often get passed around more than a soccer ball in a game of Red Rover.
- Teach your kids to cover sneezes and coughs with their elbow.
- Advocate for frequent hand-washing, too.
A super trick for the littlest ones is to teach them to sing happy birthday twice while they wash – this will ensure a complete clean.
6. Stick to a Healthy Diet
Candy bars, chips, and chocolate might be delicious, but they’re also loaded with sugar and other ingredients that create the perfect body environment for illness. Help your kids with back to school health by providing them with wholesome, non-processed foods for lunches and snacks at school.
If you aren’t sure what to pick, try Mayo Clinic’s incredible nutrition guide for kids. It’s all about balancing proteins, fats, carbs, and sugars to keep them focused, motivated, and energetic all day long.
7. Keep Kids Hydrated
It’s also important for kids to drink enough water. Unfortunately, relying on the school water fountain is a sure-fire recipe for colds and flus; they’re incredibly germy.
Instead, pick out a great thermos or water bottle they can carry around with them over the course of the school day. Aim for something functional but fun; they’ll be more likely to keep it with them and sip from it all day long.
8. Multivitamins May Help
Have a picky child? Maybe your son or daughter is a “speedy snacker” who’s too busy playing to eat right most of the time. Or, maybe you have a kid in sports who has a special need for properly balanced nutrition.
Either way, your pharmacist can probably suggest a good daily multivitamin to fill in the gaps.
That said, do remember that multivitamins are an adjunct to proper nutrition…not a full replacement. Meals should come first always.
9. Ditch the Heavy Backpacks
Seeing little ones trying to drag around 50 lbs of books is enough to make anyone cringe (the least of which is your child).
In truth, there’s a wealth of evidence to show that carrying so much weight might be harmful, especially if they aren’t using the backpack correctly in the first place.
First, pick the right product – and that means no more single-strap purses or passenger bags. Backpacks should have two straps, and both straps should be placed correctly over the shoulders at all times.
An even better alternative? Buy them a rolling backpack they can pull along behind them. No more headaches and neck-aches!
10. Address Back to School Refusal With an Open Mind
Struggling with a child who seems school-resistant? A little bit of grumbling in the morning is normal (especially for teens, who naturally follow a later schedule). Any intense fighting, crying, or extreme reluctance, however, may be a sign that something more is going on.
Talk to your child:
- Are they feeling unwell (really unwell…not just faking)?
- Are they using a stomachache to cover up anxiety or depression?
- Is there bullying going on, or are they struggling with the curriculum?
Don’t be afraid to reach out for back to school health help on this or any other issue. Kids might face more stress and pressure today than ever before, but there are also better options to help them – and you – cope, too.
Read More:
How to Keep Your Kids Safe From Back to School Viruses
Common Questions for the Start of School
Yes, your child should get a physical before school starts, even if they’ve been to the doctor for a specific reason recently.
Teach them to cover their sneezes and coughs with their elbow and advocate for frequent hand-washing.
Absolutely. It’s important they drink enough water, and stick to a healthy diet with wholesome, non-processed foods. Vitamins can also help (if they need).