Children look to their parents for guidance on healthy habits. As summer break comes to an end, it is good to give some thought to how to prepare your child/children for the upcoming school year. Below is a checklist to help you get ready for a successful school year.
Parent checklist:
- A wellness exam with your child/adolescent’s primary care provider is recommended each year. The annual visit is a time for the provider to review all the appropriate developmental milestones for your child's age and to address any health questions that you may have.
- All children/adolescents need a dental home to provide regular, comprehensive dental care.
- All children, prior to starting kindergarten, need a dilated eye exam with their family eye care provider. This is very important, as the ability to see greatly impacts a student’s ability to learn.
- All routine childhood vaccines should be up to date as needed. Kindergarten vaccines, by state law, can be given between 4 and 6 years of age. To reduce the number of injections given, we now have several combination vaccines (yeah!). Combination vaccines take two or more vaccines that could be given individually and put them into one shot. Combination vaccines include Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Chickenpox (also called MMRV) and Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus-Polio (also known as DTaP).
- Some newer vaccines are now available for the pre-teen age group. Two distinct meningitis vaccines are now recommended at appropriate ages.
- Children/adolescents who need a sports physical are ideally seen for this exam in their “medical home” with their primary care provider. This allows for evaluation by a provider who knows the athlete personally and has access to the child’s complete medical record.
- Children/adolescents with special care needs should ideally meet with school officials prior to the beginning of the school year to discuss those special needs in detail.
- Parents should attend open houses to meet school officials in person. This allows parents to meet those who will be in charge of educating their children.
- Any medications that may be needed at school should be reviewed with appropriate school personnel.
- Schools will often have an intruder drill. Parents should plan to have a fire drill and tornado drill at home too.
- At least one week before school starts, establish an appropriate sleep routine and eating schedule that will mimic the school day.
- Sleep hygiene is important to establish so children can have a good day at school. A set bedtime, limits on electronics, appropriate exercise during the day and a balanced and nutritious diet all will help with this goal. The amount of sleep needed varies depending on your child’s age and activity levels. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests the following guidelines: Preschoolers (ages 3-5) should sleep 10-13 hours, school-age children (ages 6-12) need nine to 12 hours of sleep and teenagers (ages 13-18) need eight to 10 hours of sleep.
Children’s readiness to begin school needs to be based on two important criteria: academic readiness and social maturity. With these guidelines in place, you are helping your child/children be prepared for a happy and successful school year.
Brian Conley, MD is a board-certified pediatrician with SSM Health Medical Group. Dr. Conley attended medical school and completed his residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. In addition to the full spectrum of primary care, Dr. Conley's professional interests include asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), childhood illnesses and immunizations. SSM Health Medical Group Pediatrics is located at 3348 American Avenue. To make an appointment with Dr. Conley, please call 573-761-7210.