Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Fall 2021

6 VITALITY Fall 2021 H omework schedules. Backpacks. Busy mornings at the breakfast table. Soon these things will be front and center in your home again as school begins. As a parent, there’s much you can do to help your kids start the school year off right and make back-to-school time a little less stressful for you too. The following tips and reminders—from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—can help everyone get back in the groove for school. Schedule a checkup. Back-to-school checkups give your child’s primary care provider (PCP) a chance to monitor your child’s health and track growth and development. The appointment is also an opportunity for you to bring up any questions or concerns you have. (If your kiddo is the athletic type, be sure to include a sports physical in addition to a wellness exam.) Immunize on time. Make sure your child has all of their shots. Some schools require kids to have all of their vaccines before they can attend class. And don’t forget your child also needs a yearly flu shot when those become available. Set the stage for successful mornings. If your child has been sleeping in, getting up and getting to school on time may be an issue for the first few days. To avoid this, try switching your child to their school sleep-wake schedule about a week before school begins. Start their day off right with breakfast. A nutritious breakfast gives kids the fuel their minds and bodies need to do well in school. Stock up on easy, wholesome breakfast foods, like whole-grain cereal and grab-and-go fruits. Whenever possible, prep the night before. Know that free or reduced-price meals, including breakfast, may be an option at school. Contact the school to find out. Ease first-day nerves. Will your child be starting a new school or a new grade? If possible, take your child to see the new school and any classrooms before the first day. Ask your child about any possible concerns they may have. Accentuate the positives, like seeing old friends or making new ones. Do a trial run for safety. If your child walks to school or rides a bike or the bus, practice the route to school or the bus stop with your child before school starts. Go over safety rules, and practice crossing streets safely. If possible, see if your child can walk with other kids or trusted adults to school as part of a neighborhood walking group. time of year It ’ s that Help your kids and yourself get ready for school again! KIDS’ HEALTH