In those busy weeks before the first day of school, many parents
sandwich a quick visit to the doctor for their child between
clothes-shopping trips and last-minute runs for school supplies. And, of
course, that's all happening while your family is trying to soak up the
last days of summer. However, pediatricians say there's more to getting
your child healthy and ready for school than just filling out medical
forms and scheduling booster shots. To give your children the best
possible launch, you need to take a look at their overall health and
start now to get them physically ready to meet all the challenges of a
new school year.
1. Getting Enough ZZZs
By far, the most important school health issue for most kids is getting
enough sleep --about 10 to 11 hours a night for elementary school-age
children. That sounds simple, but the trouble is, it's not always easy
to make your child's sleep patterns mesh with his new school schedule.
When parents work late, children's bedtimes often get pushed back to
create a window of family time. How can you argue with that? But to make
sure your child can make it through the day without dozing at his desk,
night-owl families need to start gradually shifting their schedules a
few weeks before school starts, advises Donald Schiff, M.D., professor
of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "You
can't wait and say, 'Oh, my gosh, we start school tomorrow. You have to
get to bed early tonight.' "
Don't be surprised if your child comes home from school exhausted,
especially in the first few weeks, says Greg Prazar, M.D., a
pediatrician in Exeter, NH. "It's a huge adjustment for children," he
says. "Lots of kids will need a nap after school to help them revive."
If your child doesn't want to sleep, settle for 30 to 45 minutes of
quiet time --with no television.
2. Testing Eyes and Ears
You can't expect a child to learn if she's having trouble seeing the
blackboard or hearing the teacher. So have your pediatrician screen for
vision and hearing problems during your child's back-to-school checkup.
"If your pediatrician does not have the equipment for visual and hearing
screening, you're not getting a complete assessment," says David A.
Cimino, M.D., director of adolescent medicine at All Children's Hospital
in St. Petersburg, FL. "Parents ought to insist on that." Some
pediatricians prefer to send patients to ophthalmologists and
audiologists for more sophisticated eye and ear checks. (Don't try to
cut corners by going to a local chain --their quick tests may miss
important development problems in young children.) Make a note to ask
your doctor what type of screening she recommends, then be certain to
get it done long before school starts.
Remember: You can't assume your child has 20/20 vision just because he
never complains about not being able to see; children with vision
problems may not realize the world isn't blurry to everybody else. If
your child often has headaches, tilts his head to one side to read
schoolwork, or holds objects unusually close or far away to view them,
it could be a sign he has a vision problem.
3. Lunchtime!
You may be planning healthy, well-balanced lunches to pack in your child's shiny new Pokemon lunchbox.
Just don't be surprised if those turkey sandwiches and carrot sticks
come back untouched. Eating in new surroundings and under tight time
constraints can make some children's appetites evaporate.
Don't worry too much if your child only nibbles on lunch at school, Dr.
Prazar says. Instead, focus on providing a protein-filled breakfast. "It
doesn't matter what it is, as long as it has some protein. It makes a
real difference in your child's energy level." With a little bit of fat
and fiber from complex carbohydrates, your child will be ready to start
the day. You should also take time to eat breakfast with your children,
Dr. Prazar adds. "I know it's tough, but parents are the most important
role models. Why would your kid eat breakfast if you don't?"
It's a good idea to lay down some nutrition rules before your child
heads into the lunchroom. Otherwise, he may end up trading his healthy
lunch for a short stack of Twinkies. "Parents ought to know what their
kids are eating at school --so ask them," says Dr. Cimino.
Plus: Healthy Lunch Ideas
4. Bathroom Break
Adjusting to classroom life can be overwhelming for a child who's a
little embarrassed about asking to go to the bathroom, and there's
nothing more humiliating than an "accident" at school. To help your
child avoid any problems, have a talk ahead of time about school
bathroom rules --taking breaks as scheduled, and raising your hand for
permission to leave the room.
If you think your child may have wetting problems in school, take
preemptive action, Cimino advises. Before school starts, schedule
regular bathroom breaks during the day, so your child gets used to going
when directed. It's also a good idea to talk with the teacher before
that stressful first day of school.
5. Scrub-a-Dub-Dub
The first day of school brings new friends, new activities --and a
bunch of new germs. That's why good hand-washing habits are critical for
school-age children. Children (like adults) need to wash their hands
after they go to the bathroom and before they eat. "Kids hate to wash
their hands, but they can understand that germs can be bad for us,"
Schiff says.
If your child rockets out of the bathroom without stopping at the sink,
consider sending her to school with a packet of antibacterial wipes.
They're not as effective as soap and water, but they may have more
appeal for young children. (You can also check how many towels are left
at the end of the day, to see whether your child is really using them.)
6. Calling in Sick
No matter how much you emphasize personal hygiene, your child is bound
to get a cold during the school year. To make the first morning your
child wakes up with the sniffles easier, study in advance a copy of your
school's guidelines on when to keep a sickly child at home. "Don't wait
until your child's first illness," says Linda J. Rufer, M.D., a
pediatrician in Chicago. If you're not at home during the day, you'll
need to prepare a battle plan to provide reliable backup child care for
unexpected sick days.
7. Stay Safe
When a child starts school, it's often the first time he's out from
under your watchful eye for any length of time. So it's important to
review basic safety rules. If your child will be walking to school, go
over the route together ahead of time to check out possible hazards,
such as busy streets. Don't let a young child walk to school alone, and
don't expect a slightly older brother or sister to provide adequate
safety supervision, Dr. Schiff says. "There are just too many
distractions for 7-, 8-, and 9-year-olds," he adds. "Their ability to
take responsibility is limited."
In carpools, seat belts should be a given, but remember to check out
other drivers' safety standards well ahead of time. For safe bus trips,
tell your child to stay seated quietly while the bus is in motion. If
you can't take your child to the bus stop, arrange for an adult or
responsible child to get him on and off the bus safely.
To protect your child from strangers, avoid writing her name on the
outside of her backpack or jacket. However, Prazar warns against
overstating the risks of child-directed crime, so you don't make your
child too scared. "Some parents obsess about it," he says. "Talk about
it with your child once at the beginning of every year, and that should
do it."
8. Get Moving
As your child blasts through the backyard like a whirlwind or jumps
across the sofa-turned-lava pit, making sure she gets enough exercise
may seem like the least of your worries. But once she enters school,
she'll be spending most of her day sitting at a desk --and you can't
assume that recess and gym class are giving her all the daily activity
she needs to stay healthy and happy.
"Kids need 20 to 30 minutes of regular, nonstop exercise a day," Dr.
Prazar says. Physical education classes and after-school sports may not
be enough. "At softball or in gym class, most kids are standing around,
waiting for the ball to come to them," he adds. Plan weekly bike rides
and nature walks, and your whole family will benefit.
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