Back to School Health Checklist: Getting Your Kids Ready
August is upon us and in just a few short weeks, school will be back in session. Don't blink! It will be here before you know it.
Checkups & Medication Refills
And, to get prepared, here's a back to school health checklist to help keep a few things in mind. As we get closer to school, don't forget to get those last-minute checkups and sports clearance exams. We can always accommodate you! Give the office a call and get scheduled so we can fill out any necessary paperwork with the most up-to-date information about your child. Also, if your child takes any medication during the school day, make sure you've got all your paperwork and prescriptions in order. Are they due for a refill? Give us a call. Depending on when we touched base last about their medications, we might need to have a visit to discuss that as well.
Good Sleep Habits
It's not too early to start discussing (and practicing) good school habits with your child. Studies show that kids who get a good night's sleep and follow a nutritious diet are a lot more successful in school. So, start backing up their bedtimes now so that they are in good shape when school starts. Elementary school aged kids do well with 9-12 hours of sleep nightly, while middle and high schoolers should be aiming for 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. And remember, make that last hour of the night a screen-free hour for EVERYONE. It will be a lot easier to wind down without it.
Nutrition & Meal Planning
While you have them home with you during the summer, that's a great time to have them tag along to the grocery store with you. Start meal planning for the school year now. Look for some new and nutritious foods for breakfast. It's great to start the day with some protein instead of just carbs (sorry, Poptarts). A yogurt or some peanut butter and a glass of milk will carry them through the morning. And it's not too early in the day to get one of their five recommended servings of fruits and vegetables in for the day. Don't have time for a big production in the morning? A yogurt smoothie can hit all the food groups and is a delicious way to power up their brains for a day of learning. Check out the produce section and find some fun fruits and veggies to stick in their lunch boxes. Remember, shop the perimeter of the store where the fresh foods area is, and skip the aisles where the bagged and boxed snacks are.
Hygiene Supplies
Getting new school supplies? Don't forget the tissues and the hand sanitizer, because they're going back to school, and no doubt, their noses will get stuffy! Although washing hands with soap and water is preferable to hand sanitizer, it's not always convenient or possible to get to the sink during the day. So, have a little bottle ready to go so they can clean up at their desks.
So, as we head into another academic year, let's set them up for success, with good sleep, good nutrition, and good hygiene.
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