It’s that time of year again — kids are leaving behind the carefree summer lifestyle and heading back into the classroom. This transition from summer fun back to busy schedules full of homework, fall sports and after- school activities can be a stressful time and hard to navigate for kids of all ages. UnityPoint Health – Meriter shares some tips on how to get your family ready for going back to school.
Healthy Kids
Preparing for that first day of school is a great time to check in on your child’s health — here are some tips for a healthy back-to-school season:
- Schedule early. Doctor’s schedules can often fill up fast — it’s best to schedule any fall sports physicals or annual checkups for required vaccines before summer is over.
- Sports physical versus annual physical? A sports physical focuses on if a child is physically healthy enough to participate in a sport or physical activity. Sports physicals typically need to be renewed annually for a child to participate in sports. An annual physical focuses on a child’s overall health, growth and development benchmarks, and providing annual or school- required vaccinations.
- Stay up to date on vaccinations. Talk to your doctor about the typical vaccine schedule or any recommended vaccinations for your child’s age group. If your kiddo is worried about vaccines, let them know vaccines could be
a possibility at their upcoming appointment and help them mentally prepare for them ahead of time. - Be prepared. If your family health history or your insurance has changed, or your child is taking any medication, have that information ready and at hand to discuss with your child’s provider. You can also make a list of any concerns you’ve had since your child’s previous exam or questions you may have about their participation in sports.
Preparation is Key
Start early in prepping your child for back to school, so you can gradually help them adjust to a change in their schedule.
- Slowly return to school bedtimes for children in the one to two weeks prior to school starting. This may involve actively waking them up at the time they need to get up for school.
- Children may feel anxious about returning to school. Check in with them periodically in the weeks leading up to, and after, school starts. A great time to talk with your child is in the car or during activities where they don’t feel grilled (i.e., not using direct eye contact). Going for a walk or playing with the family pet are great times for children to open up more about their fears or worries regarding returning to school.
As you get ready for your back-to-school season, UnityPoint Health – Meriter is here to support you and your family’s needs. To learn more about our primary care clinics and mental health treatment, visit unitypoint.org/locations.
