Are you the proud parent of a grade school scholar? Whether your child is headed back to class or starting school for the first time, one thing is for certain: the term “back-to-school” comes with enough tasks and responsibilities to keep you busy right up until that first school bell. And, while we can’t help you cover things like shoe shopping or art supply replenishment (don’t forget those No. 2 pencils!), we can help you prepare your child for a healthy school year. Use the following tips to start the year off right – with their health in mind.
Back-to-school physical
There are plenty of great reasons to schedule a back-to-school physical. Your child may opt to play a sport. Or you may just want a way to track their growth and development. Either way, you might consider scheduling an annual physical. Depending on your child’s age, their doctor may also call this a “well-child checkup. It’s an important visit that you can get out of the way before the school year to help you and your child focus on other aspects of their learning. If scheduling an in-office visit isn’t convenient, check with your provider about virtual care options.
Trip to the optometrist
Students who need glasses but don’t wear them—or those who don’t even know they need them—are more likely to struggle in the classroom. From computer screens to the chalkboard, the ways students learn require them to maintain healthy vision. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule your child’s annual eye exam before the start of the school year. Many annual well-child visits also include a basic vision test to address major concerns.
Immunizations and screenings
Sometimes your children can’t go back to school before they receive required immunizations. This is particularly an issue if the school in question is a college or university. If your child’s school hasn’t communicated any requirements, or you’re simply unsure about recommended immunizations or vaccines for back to school, the CDC has helpful guidelines available to you. It’s also important to have your child screened for age-appropriate conditions, such as hearing before preschool, obesity before grade school and depression before high school.
Lunchtime nutrition
It’s time to stock up on healthy lunch options. The challenge comes when kids head back to school where they require a regimented lunch routine. Between those tempting vending machine treats and the hearty hot lunch options, keeping your kid’s school day diet healthy can be difficult. However, with a little bit of research and creativity, you can turn your child’s sack lunch into a cornucopia of nutrients. And if you’re balancing multiple family members doing work and school at home, stock up on easy-to-grab healthy snacks or consider meal prepping on the weekends.
Back-to-sleep schedule
Michigan summer days are long with the sun not setting until well after 9 p.m. That can mean later bedtimes followed by snoozing later the next morning, too. As the first day of school gets closer, it’s important to get kids back on a sleep routine that they can maintain throughout the year. The National Sleep Foundation has helpful tips for starting this process about two weeks before the first day, so it’s a gradual change. Remember that sleep is important for your little ones. Not enough sleep can lead to lower grades and has also been linked to concentration problems in kids. It’s also important for the whole family to be on a healthy sleep schedule.
Check your health plan benefits
It’s important to start the school year successfully. A big part of that success lies in your child’s health and wellbeing. Talk to your health insurance provider to see what options are available to you and your family. At Priority Health, for example, members and their dependents receive free preventive care and have access to programs and services to help them stay fit, eat healthier and live better.
With just a little pre-planning in August, you can be ready to kick off a safe and healthy school year.
