Back-to-school season has arrived and with it a long to-do list. It’s not just fresh pencils, a sturdy backpack, and new sneakers that are a must. Good health and wellness will help your child – and you, whether parent or teacher – achieve success every day. If you want to start this school year off right, observe this important back-to-school health checklist.
Boost Your Kids’ Health for Back-to-School
- Physicals. If your child is starting at a new school or trying for a sports team, they need a well-child physical or sports physical. Schedule these annually and in time for back-to-school to ensure your child is healthy, strong, and ready for the challenges ahead.
- Vaccinations. Vaccinations offer protection from various strains of diseases for all ages. Getting vaccinated annually for flu, covid, and other ailments is essential to minimize severe infection, hospitalization, and other infections.
- Immunizations. Most schools require students to have specific immunizations to protect against serious diseases. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this schedule and its efficacy.
Manage Daily Back-to-School Health Needs
- Nutrition. Not all kids like to eat breakfast, or they aren’t hungry at lunch. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to encourage your kids to eat well every day so they can do their best in school and support their energy and immune function.
- Health challenges. If your child suffers from diabetes, anxiety, severe allergies, autoimmune disease, or any chronic condition, meet with your doctor to develop a back-to-school health plan, including completed medication authorization forms so schools are prepared to protect your child’s well-being.
- Sleep. Without quality sleep, your child cannot perform to the best of their abilities. Let your doctor guide you when it comes to good bedtime habits, ways to fall asleep and stay asleep, and the value of less screen time and a solid schedule.
Know Your Medical Care Resources Once School Is in Session
- Bumps and breaks. Accidents happen at school, whether a child falls off the monkey bars or gets injured in gym class. It’s important to know where you can go immediately for suturing, casting, or lab tests.
- Acute sickness. It’s nearly impossible to avoid sickness in schools. Minor illnesses sometimes need sick appointments and testing to confirm diagnosis or a quick response to ensure the right treatment, from strep to flu to covid.
- Sports medicine. Whether your child is a top athlete or working to be active and healthy, personalized sports medicine keeps them in top condition so they can function optimally with minimal pain or injury.
There are many ways to safely send your child back to school, and they all begin by visiting your family doctor for preventive care. At Swetech Medical Center, we provide medical care for all ages and do our best to provide same-day appointments for non-life-threatening medical needs that do not require an emergency room visit.
Schedule a visit with me, Dr. Jon Swetech, to get back-to-school ready at Swetech Medical Center throughout the next 180 days and beyond.
