The start of school is just around the corner for many of the children in the community.
Here are a few tips to get your children back in the swing of things and ready to learn.
- Try to get your child back on a schedule/routine the week before school starts. Adjust bedtimes and set wake up alarms in the morning, getting them back into a routine.
- For the younger children, help them practice eating a packed lunch, teaching them to open lunch/drink containers so we can set them up for success on their first few days of school. If you are sending a packed lunch, make nutritious choices to include a variety of protein, fruits, and vegetables; help them thrive.
- Visit your school and teachers prior to starting. Attend open houses before the first day so your children might not be as nervous starting their new grade or school. Realize that anxiety is common and normal before starting the school year, talk about it and allow them to express their concerns.
- Make sure their vaccines are up to date; kindergartners need their 4/5-year-old vaccines, middle school entry requires meningitis and tetanus vaccine update, and meningitis boosters for 16/17-year-olds.
- Set up a communication center in your house outlining appointments, rehearsals, practices, meetings, or anything else that can create obstacles in the day.
- Prepare a nutritious breakfast to help children focus and be energized in school.
- Talk with your pediatrician about any learning concerns and how to address them so you can relay any concerns to the teacher on day one.
- If your child has a special health need or a chronic medical condition that requires medications, create an action plan with your pediatrician and talk with the school nurse. Make sure you have the proper school forms filled out for medication administration if needed.
- Be positive, encourage a positive attitude towards school and eliminate any negative thinking patterns.
- Most important, be your child’s biggest fan!
The Wilmington Health Pediatric Department is dedicated to promoting healthy childhood development. Our physicians and nurse practitioners are here to serve, through preventive medicine and wellness care. Contact us to schedule an on-site or WH AnyWHere virtual visit.
Written by Suzanne Smith, MD, MPT, FAAP