3 Back to School Health Tips for Your Child

Back to school time has arrived and along with it comes health concerns for many parents. Between ensuring healthy eating habits and teaching good hygiene to help your little one avoid the germs that come with a new classroom, it can be hard to get back into the swing of things and ensure you’re covering all the bases. Here are a few easy steps you can take now to help your child stay healthy this school year.

Establish a Bedtime Schedule
Although this happens outside of school itself, having a healthy amount of sleep makes your child more focused throughout the day. Getting at least eight hours of sleep each night also helps improve his overall health. It can be tricky to get him into bed earlier than he was during the summer nights, but doing so gradually can make the transition easier. By creating a routine, he will know what to expect and it will be easier for everyone to stick to as the school year goes on.

Teach Him About Hygiene
When your child knows good hygiene habits, he can more effectively prevent sickness by keeping himself clean during the school day. Explain to him the importance of washing his hands in all scenarios, including:

• After coughing or sneezing
• After using the bathroom
• Before eating a meal or snack
• After coming in from outside

Giving him hand sanitizer to keep with him is a convenient way to make sure he’s keeping his hands clean while he is at school. It’s also important to instruct him not to share food or drinks with others to prevent the spread of germs that way.

Keep the Load Light
Backpacks can get heavy quickly, so it’s important to make sure that your child’s isn’t overloaded. Buy one that has wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back and make sure he is always using both straps. When loading it up, pack it light and keep things organized, with heavier items stored closer to the center of the back. A good rule of thumb is ensuring that the backpack doesn’t weigh more than 15% of your child’s body weight. If allowed, a rolling backpack is a great idea – if not, make sure that his backpack is adjusted so the bottom meets his waist.