BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKLIST

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

BY SMRITI VINOTH

ILLUSTRATION: MAHATI VINOTH

School supplies are only part of back to school prep. A healthy school year starts with checkups, up-to-date vaccinations, vision and hearing screenings, daily routines, and emotional support. Use this back to school health checklist to help your child start strong.

With summer coming to an end and school starting back up, families have to start purchasing school supplies. While getting school supplies is essential, they aren’t the most important thing for a successful school year. The biggest factor that families overlook is the child’s health. Before they head back to school, families should make sure their children are mentally and physically prepared for the school year. Using a back-to-school health checklist can help families prepare and help students avoid health problems that could stop them from having a successful year.

Before the new school year begins, parents should schedule a yearly checkup for their children. Checkups help your child stay healthy during the school year. The checkup helps the doctor monitor and evaluate your child’s normal growth and development. During the checkup, you have the opportunity to ask the doctor any questions about your child’s eating habits, sleeping patterns, behavior, learning activities, and concerns you may have. It’s also a good time to ask the doctor to complete a sports physical for participation in after-school sports activities. These checkups can help find health problems before they become serious. Regular doctor visits also help children stay healthy throughout the school year.

Part of the back-to-school preparation is getting your child’s vaccinations up to date. Schools are close-contact environments where diseases spread easily, so unvaccinated children put themselves and the school community at risk. Many schools require students to have routine vaccinations. Updating your child’s vaccination records makes the registration process easier. The back-to-school routine should also include a checkup for your child’s vision and hearing, as a student with hearing or vision problems will be at a disadvantage in the classroom. Visiting the dentist before school starts is also important because healthy teeth and gums help children avoid pain and stay focused in class.

Just like going to the doctor, healthy daily habits are important, and that includes giving children the vitamins they need to make it through the school year. Consistent bedtimes help students adjust to the earlier bedtimes they’ll need during the school year. Eating healthy foods and snacks not only provides students with the energy they need to sustain their focus but also helps them avoid a crash during the day. The human body needs to be hydrated, and especially during the summer heat, students need to make sure they are drinking enough water. Exercise is important because it helps students stay active, which is another healthy habit. Students also need to help stop the spread of germs. Getting in the habit of always washing their hands with soap and water, carrying a reusable water bottle, and using hand sanitizer will help them remain healthy while at school.

Don’t overlook mental and emotional health when preparing for the return to school after the summer break. Many new beginnings can feel scary for some kids, especially the start of a new grade or a new school. Parents should expect to hear feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or even fear, and should reassure their children that those feelings are completely normal. Encourage them to talk about what worries them and use those concerns to build their confidence. If anxiety or fear is intense or begins to interfere with everyday life, parents should take it more seriously and consult a healthcare professional. While preparing for the school year, families should make sure to update the emergency contact, allergy, medication, and health information. The school must have all this information to assist effectively when a need arises during the school year.

Back-to-school preparations involve more than just going shopping for supplies. Parents must ensure their kids have healthy minds and healthy bodies, which helps them feel confident. Many families schedule back-to-school physicals and checkups to ensure their kids are cleared to start the school year. Healthy living habits and routines can also help kids stay healthy. Emotional well-being is something children build all year long. Keep supporting it as the months go by, and don’t let the holiday break throw off the healthy routines you’ve worked to establish.