Healthy kids make happy learners.

A Healthy Head Start: Prepping Your Child for a Thriving School Year

As summer draws to a close, it’s time to shift our focus to the upcoming school year. Preparing your child for back-to-school goes beyond new backpacks and school supplies; it’s about ensuring their overall health and wellness. This guide will help you navigate the transition, setting your child up for a successful and healthy academic year.

1. Physical Health Preparations

Sleep Schedules: Quality sleep is crucial for learning and overall health. Gradually adjust your child’s sleep schedule to match school-year routines. Start shifting bedtimes and wake-up times earlier about two weeks before school starts. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night, depending on your child’s age. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading a book together or listening to calm music, and limit screen time before bed to improve sleep quality.

Nutrition: Proper nutrition fuels both body and mind. Establish healthy eating habits now to carry into the school year. Plan balanced meals and snacks, focusing on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Consider involving your child in meal planning and preparation to encourage healthy choices and teach valuable life skills. Prepare healthy after-school snacks in advance to avoid relying on processed foods when time is tight.

Physical Activity: Regular exercise is essential for physical health and cognitive function. Maintain regular physical activity, aiming for at least 60 minutes daily. This could include outdoor play, organized sports, dance classes, or family activities like bike rides, hikes, or swimming. Encourage a mix of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility work. Remember, physical activity can also be a great way to relieve stress and improve mood.

| About 3 million children (or 5.8% of school children overall) missed at least 15 days of school in 2022 for health-related reasons |

2. Mental and Emotional Wellness

Addressing Anxiety: It’s normal for children to feel anxious about returning to school. Create an open, supportive environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their concerns. Talk openly about what they’re looking forward to and what might be worrying them. Validate their feelings and help them develop coping strategies, such as deep breathing exercises, positive self-talk, or visualization techniques. If anxiety seems severe or persistent, consider consulting a mental health professional.

Building Resilience: Resilience is a crucial life skill that helps children navigate challenges. Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort over results. Help your child understand that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth. Set achievable goals together and break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Share stories of how you’ve overcome obstacles in your own life to model resilience.

Establishing Routines: Predictable routines can provide a sense of security and reduce stress. Create consistent daily routines, including homework time, family meals, and bedtime rituals. Use visual schedules for younger children to help them understand and follow the routine. Be flexible when needed, but try to maintain overall consistency. Include some downtime in the routine for relaxation and free play.

3. Social Health

Reconnecting with Friends: Social connections are vital for children’s well-being. Arrange playdates or video calls with classmates before school starts to help your child reconnect socially. If your child is entering a new school, see if you can attend any orientation events or meet-and-greets to familiarize them with their new environment and potentially meet new classmates.

Discussing Social Expectations: Have open conversations about school rules, appropriate behavior, and how to interact positively with peers and teachers. Role-play different social scenarios to help your child practice responses. Discuss concepts like empathy, kindness, and inclusion. Address any concerns about bullying and make sure your child knows how to seek help if needed.

4. Academic Readiness

Gradual Reintroduction of Learning Activities: Ease back into academic mode by incorporating light learning activities into your daily routine. Read together daily, choosing books on topics that interest your child. Practice math skills through games, cooking activities, or real-world applications like calculating tips or discounts. Engage in educational outings to museums, nature centers, or historical sites to spark curiosity and learning.

Setting Realistic Goals: Help your child set achievable academic and personal goals for the year ahead. This can boost motivation and self-confidence. Use the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to guide goal-setting. Regularly review and adjust goals as needed, celebrating progress along the way.

5. Health and Safety Measures

Comprehensive Health Check-ups: Schedule a visit with your pediatrician for a thorough health assessment before the school year begins. This check-up can help identify any potential health concerns and ensure your child is in optimal health for learning and growth. Discuss any changes in your child’s health, behavior, or development since their last visit. Don’t hesitate to bring up any concerns, no matter how small they may seem.

Preventive Care: Talk with your healthcare provider about any necessary preventive measures or screenings appropriate for your child’s age and health history. This might include discussions about nutrition, physical activity, sleep habits, and mental health.

Vision and Hearing Tests: Consider having your child’s vision and hearing checked, as these can significantly impact learning ability and classroom performance. Many learning difficulties can be traced back to undiagnosed vision or hearing problems. If your child already wears glasses or uses hearing aids, ensure they’re in good condition and the prescription is up-to-date.

Dental Health: Oral health is an important part of overall wellness. Schedule a dental check-up if it’s been a while since your child’s last visit. Discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques, and consider protective measures like sealants if recommended by your dentist.

Hygiene Practices: Reinforce good hygiene habits to prevent the spread of common illnesses in school settings. Teach proper handwashing techniques, including washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Practice covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or the elbow. Emphasize the importance of not sharing personal items like water bottles, utensils, or hygiene products.

Emergency Information: Update the school and any caregivers with current emergency contact information and any changes in your child’s health status or medications. If your child has any allergies or chronic health conditions, ensure that the school has a clear action plan in place.

Medication Supply: Consider having your own supply of emergency pediatric medications on hand for your child, for instances where getting to your doctor is difficult or impossible—such as family trips, or power outages and natural disasters. Learn more about the medications offered in the KidCase.

By taking a holistic approach, you can help your child start the school year feeling confident, healthy, and ready to learn. Remember, every child is unique, so tailor these suggestions to your child’s individual needs and consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice. With thoughtful preparation, you can set the stage for a successful and healthy school year.

– Your partners in preparedness: Jase.com