What can you do before the school year starts?

Plan ahead so that the first day of school is a breeze.

• Complete school paperwork early — This is particularly important if your child has allergies or needs prescription medications, such as an asthma inhaler or EpiPen. “Make sure the school has instructions and a plan in place if your child needs these medications,” Dr. Wertz says.
• Review your child’s vaccination record — Make sure your child has had all the vaccinations required to start school. Following the recommended immunization schedule can help ensure that your child doesn’t miss school or spread a vaccine-preventable disease to others.
• Ease back into a routine — Begin adjusting bedtimes a week or two before school starts to ensure that your child is getting enough sleep to adjust smoothly to the school routine.

How can you help your child stay healthy during the school year?

As the year gets going, you can prioritize wellness with simple steps like getting annual vaccines and making healthy lifestyle choices.

• Make sleep a top priority — Children who get sufficient sleep feel good, do better in school and tend to have fewer behavioral problems. “Keep TV, computers and other video screens out of your child’s bedroom to promote restful sleep,” Dr. Wertz says. “This includes small mobile devices.”

According to the CDC, the recommended hours of sleep for children per day:

• 3 to 5 years old – 10 to 13 hours
• 6 to 12 years old – 9 to 12 hours
• 13 to 17 years old – 8 to 10 hours
• Provide a balanced diet — A nutrient-rich diet helps your child be healthy and fight off infections. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast. Try using the plate method to help guide your meal plans. Pack fresh fruit instead of sugary snacks, water instead of juice boxes and have plenty of healthy after-school snacks on hand.
• Teach good hygiene — To avoid the spread of germs and infection, encourage frequent handwashing and teach your child to sneeze into the crook of his or her elbow or sleeve.
• Get a flu shot — Make sure your child gets their annual flu vaccination well before the flu season starts. This is the best way to avoid getting the flu.
• Consider the COVID-19 vaccine — The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for kids ages 6 months and older.

What should you consider when getting your child a new school backpack?

As a general rule to prevent injury, your child’s full backpack should not weigh more than 5-10% of their body weight. Some other tips that help avoid backaches and soreness include:

• Choose a lightweight, ergonomic backpack with wide, padded straps.
• Avoid backpacks that are wider than your child’s torso or hang more than 4 inches below their waist.
• Make sure your child carries the pack on both shoulders to spread the weight evenly.

How can you help your child stay active during the busy school year?

The CDC recommends 60 minutes of physical activity every day for children. “Few schools are able to offer an hour of physical education every day, so we need to find other ways to build activity into a child’s day,” Dr. Wertz says. Her tips:

• Walk or bike to school — If you live close enough to school to walk or bike, this can be an easy way to up your child’s activity level. If you have to drive, leave home a few minutes early so that you can park farther away from school and walk the last stretch. By doing so, you may also avoid getting snared in school drop-off traffic.
• Join an organized sport — Your child may enjoy soccer, baseball or basketball. “Choose a program that is age-appropriate and puts the emphasis on having fun while being active together,” Dr. Wertz says.
• Make exercise part of your daily routine — Head out for a family walk or bike ride after dinner. On weekends, plan active outings such as a hike, a Frisbee game at the park or a hopscotch competition in the back yard.
• Limit screen time — Turn off the TV or computer and dance together to your child’s favorite music or head outside for a stroll. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to less than two hours a day for children two years and up.
• Be a good role model — Your child wants to be like you. If you're active, your child is much more likely to want to do the same.
• Keep it fun — “If your child doesn’t like a particular activity or sport, don’t force it,” Dr. Wertz says. “Encourage a variety of activities. If your child enjoys an activity, they will want to continue it.”

Consult with your pediatrics team for tips, advice and recommendations on how you can help your child start their school year healthy. Don’t forget to ask your pediatrician about your child’s yearly checkups and screenings as well.