Back to School- A Return to Health & Routine

The lazy days of summer are over, and it is time to return to school. September is a time of both dread and elation, as it is wonderful to get back to a routine to be with friends. In addition to returning to a routine of studies, it is also an opportunity to take stock of your child’s health.

The following tips for return to school health can help to make that transition:

1. Establish a routine. Sleep is a cornerstone for well-being and is regularly compromised in the summer. Regular bedtimes can help ensure good rest and help with focus in school.

2. Make checkups a priority. There is controversy about the need for an overall physical for children, but a check to ensure vaccines are up to date and no preventive care is needed, is a good idea at the start of the school year.

3. Schedule a vision check. Children often don’t report a change in vision, so regular checkups are a good idea.

4. Make sure that your child’s nutrition is adequate. The sum- mer days of barbecue and ice cream are over. A good breakfast is important to improve focus and returning to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is key to strong minds and bodies.

5. Teach your child to wash their hands. Back to school means back to exposure to colds and flus. The Mayo Clinic suggests having children learn to wash hands while singing the verse of a song so that they are washing for an adequate period of time.

Returning to school is indeed a time of sadness and excitement: sadness for children as they relinquish the carefree days of summer and delight for parents keen to return to routine. It is also a time to take stock and return to health.