Ready for School?

 Scheduling well-child physical exams

It is important to find out what your child’s school health requirements are, including a list of mandatory and suggested immunizations. If your child will be participating in sports, your pediatrician may have to sign a form declaring them fit to participate.

Call and schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for a physical exam before school starts. If you have just moved to a new city, it is helpful to have your children’s medical records sent to your new pediatrician ahead of time. Be sure to also bring your children’s immunization record and any school forms to the appointment so that your pediatrician can update and fill them out accordingly. If you do not provide documentation of updated immunization records, your child may experience trouble with admission.

In addition to updating vaccinations, your pediatrician will evaluate your child’s growth and development, answer questions and ensure that your child is physically, emotionally and socially healthy. The purpose of this visit is to identify any health problems early and take care of them before the problem becomes serious, such as an abnormal curvature in the spine called scoliosis. Your pediatrician may also teach you and your child several healthy lifestyle habits, as well as tips to prevent sickness or injuries.

Plan healthy eating

Nutrition is an important factor in your child’s performance at school. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it is a good habit to not skip any meal. Eating healthy, balanced breakfasts and lunches will keep kids more alert throughout the day and give them the energy to enjoy school activities. In addition, it is a good idea to pack a snack of either fruits or vegetables each day so that your child does not turn to junk food alternatives.

Making new friends

Whether your kid is new to the school or a returning student, encourage them to meet new people or get reacquainted with classmates. Ask them to say hello to one or two new people a day — the kid in the desk next to them in homeroom is a good place to start. One of the good ways for your child to make new friends and learn his or her way around is by participating in school activities such as clubs, sports and volunteer opportunities. Over time, your kids will look forward to going to school with their friends.

Study habits

Obtain a class schedule, wall calendar or personal planner for your child at the beginning of the new school year. Have them mark all the important dates, such as exams, performances and big events. Note the due dates of term papers, essays and other projects as they are assigned. List any other time commitments they may have, such as after-school activities.

Sleep deprivation can make it hard for kids to concentrate in class. It is more productive for your child to get adequate sleep the night before an exam, as opposed to pulling an all-nighter to cram for it.

Try to limit the time your child spends in front of the computer, TV and video game console. I may not be making any school-aged friends by saying this, but I recommend limiting screen time to an hour per day. This way, kids learn to establish healthy time boundaries and still have enough time to sleep, study and exercise. General wisdom says that 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day will help keep kids healthy and strong. Exercise can include any physical activity that works up a sweat, such as jogging, swimming, or playing sports.

Hopefully, these tips will make the transition into the new school year easier for the family and spare everyone extra anxiety on the first day of school. A good start is usually a precursor to a year of achievement. From all of us at UFH, we hope you and your family have a safe and healthy school year!