When you hear “back to school,” you may think of shopping for new clothes and school supplies. Yet, there are a lot of other tasks that come along with the beginning of the school year, especially when it comes to health and wellness. If you want your child to start the year off right, now is the time to start thinking about how you can head into the year healthy. Here are the 7 steps you should take today!
1. Schedule a checkup with your pediatrician
Take your child to their annual checkup or physical before the school year begins. These appointments allow doctors to conduct a physical exam and stay up to date on immunization against serious childhood diseases. Although these checkups may seem redundant, they help lay a good foundation for growth and development.
During the appointment, the doctor or nurse will ask questions before the physical exam regarding your child’s health history. Some topics that may be discussed include behavior, health, emotions, school, activities, eating habits, and family life.
The physical portion of the exam will involve measuring your child’s height, weight, and blood pressure. The doctor or nurse may also check your child’s vision and hearing as well as specific body parts or reflexes. If your child needs vaccinations, they will also be administered.
2. Gather important information
Ahead of the appointment, gather the following information for your child. Your pediatrician is a key part of your child’s healthcare team, and they’ll operate best when they have the full picture.
- All medical history including vaccination records
- Any special services or accommodations your child has been receiving at school for any disability or health condition
- Important changes in your child’s life since they last saw their doctor
- New siblings
- Separation or divorce
- Parents spending time in jail/prison
- New school or neighborhood
- Serious illness or death of a friend or family member
Another key step is reaching out to your child’s school to see what type of medical information is required to start the year. Here are some questions you should consider.
- What vaccinations are required for my child’s grade? What vaccinations are required for later years?
- Do you require a physical exam to attend school, participate in sports, or physical education classes?
- What forms should I have the doctor fill out as proof of either vaccination or physical, and where can I get those?
- How recent does a physical examination need to be to fulfill the school’s requirement? Can a doctor fill out the form based on a previous exam?
- Does the school require any other physician-signed forms needed for my child such as sick days, daily medications, or excuses from physical activity?
- Is a doctor’s note required for excused absences due to illness? Is there a special form that is needed for that excuse?
- Where should I hand in the forms once they are complete?
3. Visit the eye doctor
Everyone knows a classmate who had to go to the eye doctor because they couldn’t see the blackboard. Maybe you were that person growing up. Most parents will wait for a referral from their pediatrician or school nurse before heading to the eye doctor, but building this into your back-to-school preparations is the way to go. When kids can’t see the board at the front of their classroom or even the book right in front of them, it creates learning challenges.
During your child’s annual check-up, your pediatrician may conduct an eye exam. However, having a relationship with an optometrist can also be helpful. They have more extensive equipment to ensure your child’s eyes are healthy. And, if your child needs glasses, they’ll be able to facilitate the entire process.
Keep an eye out for signs your child needs glasses and bring it up with your doctor!
- Squinting
- Tilting their head
- Covering one eye
- Sitting too close to the television
- Holding hand-held devices
- Rubbing eyes excessively
- Having difficulty concentrating on schoolwork or reading
4. Start your routine now
When school lets out in May or June, many families breathe a sigh of relief. Goodbye, early wakeups! Goodbye, nightmare bedtime routines! Goodbye making lunches! Goodbye, homework after school!
Unfortunately, this means when the back-to-school season rolls around, kids are often staying up and sleeping in later than what is practical for school. In the next few weeks, begin to pull your child’s routine back together.
Consider factors like sleep, screen time, daily reading, healthy eating, and any other elements that your child needs to succeed. You want to make sure they’re in a rhythm before the start of the year!
5. Chat with the school nurse
On back-to-school night, see if the school nurse is around to chat. If your child has allergies, a chronic illness, or physical restrictions, he or she is the perfect partner at your child’s school. This individual will be able to keep a record of any health-related needs or limitations pertaining to your child.
Here are some situations you may want to loop the school nurse in on:
- Daily medication: If your child takes daily medication, the school nurse will need to know what they’re taking. Even if they typically take this medication in the morning or at night (outside of school hours), they can still experience potential medicine-related complications or symptoms. Additionally, if your child needs medication during the day, then that will need to be stored and administered in the nurse’s office. The school nurse will quickly become a trusted member of your child’s healthcare team!
- Medical emergencies: No parent wants to get an unexpected phone call from their child’s school about a medical emergency. However, if your child has an existing condition or illness that may make a medical emergency more likely, then chatting with the school nurse and other staff about how to handle it in advance can help ease your mind.
6. Think about extracurriculars
School sports and other extracurriculars often require an updated sports physical. If your child is planning to have any extracurriculars this upcoming year that will require forms from your doctor, try to get organized before their annual check-up. Often, your pediatrician will be able to conduct any necessary exams or fill out these forms during the same visit.
7. Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you have your child’s doctor in front of you. We know that getting to the appointment and making sure you have all your paperwork takes a lot of time and effort. However, this is also an ideal opportunity for you to gain additional knowledge. Here are some starter questions that you may find helpful depending on your child’s age.
- Is my child up to date on their vaccines?
- Is my child at a healthy weight?
- How much physical activity do you recommend for my child’s age?
- How can I ensure my child is eating healthy?
- How can I talk to my child about bullying?
- How can I teach my child about internet safety?
- How can I teach my child what to expect during puberty?
- How should I get in touch with the office if my child is sick throughout the year?
We also recommend jotting down any additional questions that are specific to your child in the days or weeks leading up to your well-check appointment on your phone. Walk out of the office feeling confident you made the most of the appointment and got all your questions answered!
Final Thoughts
Are you and your kids starting the back-to-school prep? Jacksonville Pediatric Care Centers provide care, and Dr. Benitez and his team of Jacksonville pediatricians can help you with an annual checkup or any other concerns ahead of the school year. Contact us for an appointment.
