Student Back to School: Top health tips
It is nearly back-to-school time which can be a stressful time for parents. You need to sort out their school uniforms, the backpack they need and the correct equipment and books. As a result, it can be a good idea to create a health checklist student specific to make sure that they know how not to get sick as a student. We’ve put some info as to what you could include for that in this article.
Wash your Hands
Of course, it’s important to make sure your child washes their hands when they are at school to avoid catching and spreading germs. A great way to encourage kids to do this is to sing a song while they are doing it. The songs most commonly used are the alphabet song or the Happy Birthday song. The time taken to sing those songs from start to finish is roughly the amount of time it would take to wash your hands (front, back, and in-between the fingers).
Book a Check-up
Before you send your child back to school, it’s always a good idea to schedule a check-up with a GP. In some schools, a check-up is compulsory if your child wants to take part in extracurricular sports such as football. It’s a good idea to get their hearing and vision checked annually too, so you can see if there are any issues on that front that could hinder their development. It’s also an excellent time to see if there are any updates required to existing medication or prescriptions.
Make Sure the Routine is Prepared
During the school holidays, it’s not unusual for kids to have a routine that’s a little more relaxed. Instead of going to bed at a specific time, it’s likely they have been eating a little out of schedule and getting some late nights. In the week before they go back to school, make sure that you have started to get the routine back in place to prepare them for another school year.
Be Prepared for Allergen Issues
When a new school year starts, it’s also the beginning of a new allergy season. If you have a child who already suffers from allergies – it can be much worse when there is the likelihood of dust, mould and other issues within the classroom. You also may want to check in with the cafeteria if your child has food allergies. The last thing you want is for them to eat or to be near something that could cause an allergic reaction.
Get a good night's sleep
Sleeping patterns can go a little haywire over the summer holidays with later nights and longer lies ins. Try getting into a routine a little before the first day back so that your child doesn't go back on their first day feeling exhausted and sluggish. A lack of sleep can create feelings of worry and anxiety, especially if your child is starting at a new school or going into a year where they may feel more pressure.
Get them talking
Going back to school can be scary. Whether they are moving up to secondary school or moving into a new class with new teachers and classmates try and get them talking about how they're feeling. Ask open-ended questions that allow them to talk freely about whatever is on their mind. Then you can support them in moving past some of their concerns.
We hope you are now well on your way to taking the necessary precautions when it comes to keeping your child healthy when they go back to school. Remember should you have any health concerns you can book a same-day appointment at any of our clinics for you and your whole family!