Back-to-school is just around the corner and we have tips to ensure a healthy, safe, and
productive year ahead!
Is your child starting school for the first time? You might notice them feeling nervous or
uncertain. Starting school is a brand new experience and it can take a while to adjust. To help
your child feel more at ease, read books with them about going to school, as some of these
cover first day anxiety and show children what they can expect. You can also rehearse where
they pretend play they're in school or take them to visit their school before they start so that
they develop familiarity.
For kids starting a new year, they might also feel nervous or dread. Beginning a new grade can
bring about uncertainty as children might have a different set of classmates, new teachers, new
subjects, and new types of assignments. No matter your child's age, it's always helpful to have a conversation with them about going back to school. Check in to see what thoughts and feelings they have so you know how you can be supportive. Helping them to slowly ease back into the school routine, for an example, can make a difference. Encourage them to start going to bed
and waking up earlier before the first day so that they get into the right sleep routine for the
new year. Remind them of the positive things about school, such as seeing friends, making new
friends, and learning their favorite subjects.
If your child's anxiety about school seems to be more than jitters or you have concerns about
their mental health, it's important to find the right type of support for them. You can contact
our office for recommendations on resources and treatment for your child. Once your child is
back in school, check in with them to see how their first day and first week went and how they
feel about their new class or new teacher. That'll give you an idea to how they're adjusting and if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
As always, starting the day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast is essential for children. But,
it is especially helpful for children's concentration and focus in school and on their academic
performance. Make sure to pack them a healthy and well-balanced lunch too and that they get
enough sleep each night. Good health habits help ensure a successful school year.
In addition to taking care of their nutrition and sleep, you'll also want to review with them
safety precautions for traveling to and from school. Remind them to wait for their school bus to
stop before trying to board and to look both ways on the street for any vehicles before crossing.
Returning to school means that kids will get back to doing their homework. Keep a homework
friendly environment at home, free of distractions, so that your child can focus. For more advice
on homework support, check out our blog.
It's common to buy a new backpack prior to the start of a school year. Backpack safety is crucial as a poorly fitted one can affect your child's back and posture. When shopping, choose a backpack with wide and padded shoulder straps and adjust them so that the bottom of the backpack sits at your child's waist. Remind your child to wear both straps to avoid muscle strain and teach them how to organize their backpack items well. Heavier things should be closest to the center of the back. A backpack should never weigh more than 10-20% of your child's
weight. Lastly, as your child returns to school, don't forget to keep up with their well visits to make sure they're up to date with all of their immunizations and to be able to check in on their growth and development. Call our office to schedule an appointment.
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