Top 5 Back-to-School Health Tips for Parents

Top 5 Back-to-School Health Tips for Parents
Busy for kids and parents during back to school. Adjusting the schedule, making sure everyone has what they need, and going back to the groove after a long summer break can make some adjustments. The busyness that comes with the start of a new school year can affect your kids - and you.
Make sure you take the right precautions so that it is still the healthiest school year. Here are some health tips from our experts at East Meadow Medical.

1. Get up to date vaccines

Contact your school to make sure your child is properly vaccinated before the start of the new school year. Dr. Razzak-Ahmed can tell you which vaccine is recommended for your child based on age. She may recommend that your child's flu shot be taken before the virus starts. One ounce of resistance costs more than one pound of cure to keep your family healthy.

2. Set a strict bedtime and stick to it

A good night's sleep is essential for good health. Especially at this busy time of the year both parents and their kids need to get their Zs. Health back to school depends on good sleep habits, so set a strict sleep time.

Adults need a full 7-8 hours to stay healthy, but children need more sleep than that:

Preschool: 10-13 hours

School-age children: 9-11 hours

Adolescents: 8-10 hours

If your child has trouble falling asleep, consider his or her screen time. Studies have shown that looking at electronic devices can interfere with the body's ability to fall asleep. Keep all electronic devices "asleep" at least 2 hours before your child's bedtime. Include bedtime rituals that are relaxing; A warm bath and some hugs are a great way when you read a story to them.

3. Maintain good hygiene

There is not enough emphasis on washing hands thoroughly throughout the day, especially when it comes time to go to school. Germs are hidden on every surface of the classroom. Teaching them to wash their hands after using the restroom, before lunch and after the holidays is important for your child's health. Make sure they also have a hand sanitizer.

Emphasize the importance of not sharing hair accessories such as combs, brushes, hats and headbands. Lice grow in school-age children. Examine your child's head every day and look for signs, such as excessive scratching of the scalp and the appearance of gray or white "sesame seed" particles on the hair follicles near the base.

4. Ensure a healthy diet

Start your child's day with a healthy breakfast. Yogurt, eggs or breakfast sandwiches with fruit make sure they start the day on a healthy note.

For lunch, bypass convenient meals, such as pre-packaged snacks and grab-n-go lunches. While making your child lunch can be time consuming, it is much healthier for them. Store fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread or wrappers, lean protein, cheese and nuts. Foods that can be easily eaten such as baby carrots, apple slices, grapes and watermelon slices can easily be divided ahead of time for lunch-packing.

Make sure you have plenty of healthy food on hand even after school. Your kids have increased appetite, and often take longer between lunch time and home. Healthy foods and snacks will go a long way in keeping your baby's immune system strong.

5. Control the pressure

Stress is not good for anyone and without the tools to manage it, your kids can suffer from a whole host of weakened immune systems, insomnia and other health problems. Returning to school can be stressful, especially if your child is moving to a new school.

Know the signs that your children may be under stress. Encourage them to share their day with you and take the time to listen. As tempting as it is for kids to get involved in extracurricular activities like scouting or sports, limit them to one activity and don't over-schedule - which can put a strain on everyone.

Help your child develop healthy ways to channel stress. Go for a walk with a family, draw with them, paint in a coloring book or play catch outside. Find ways to help them relax and these habits will serve them throughout their lives.

Back-to-school health means wellness testing

One of the best ways to ensure a healthy school year for your child is to schedule a fitness test. Dr. Razzak-Ahmed provides child care for the youngest members of your family as well as adolescents and adults. Schedule a fitness test for your child today and rest assured that they will start the new school year healthy and happy. Call the office to make an appointment or book it while you're online.