With your child/teen heading back to school, there are many ways you can help them stay healthy and happy because every school day counts. Too many absences can have a big impact on your child’s education and health. Here are six steps to help you start the school year on the right foot:

• Prioritize the basics: sleep, exercise & nutrition.
  • Make sure your child/teen gets nutritious meals, stays hydrated with water, and gets plenty of physical activity and sleep. All of these are key to success in school and with their social life. Studies have shown that children who eat a healthy breakfast and lunch function better at school. Orange County Public Schools will be providing free meals for the 2024-2025 school year.
  • Plenty of physical activity is vital but can also help with concentration, memory and learning.
  • Not getting enough sleep can affect memory, concentration, creativity and learning. In fact, lack of sleep is linked with lower academic performance, school attendance and tardiness.
•  Stay up to date on check-ups & immunizations
  • Well-child or back-to-school physical exams should be done every year. Your physician will also help with any forms needed to allow participation in any school sports. Be sure your school nurse has a list of any medicines or treatments that need to be administered and provide specific instructions.
  • Immunizations are highly recommended so your child/teen can stay healthy during the school year. Please talk to your child’s pediatrician if you have any reservations about vaccinating your child. A decline in vaccination rates across the U.S. has led to outbreaks of measles and polio in recent years. When your child/teen stays up to date on vaccines, they will be much less likely to have a severe illness or unknowingly spread it to another child.
•  Tune in to your child’s mental health
  • Many children and teens have had mental health challenges over the past few years. Let your child know it’s OK to talk about how they’re feeling with you. Some kids may avoid talking about touchy subjects and feel like they will be judged, lectured or punished. Reassure them that home is a safe place to share openly.
  • Listen to what your child/teen is saying and be observant of any changes in behavior that worry you or if they show any signs of anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or unexplained anger.
  • Keep communication lines open. Check in with them often and make it part of your family routine.
• Talk about racism, bullying & kindness
  • As we all know, sometimes children can be mean or unthoughtful. Make a point to talk with your children often about the subjects of racism, hate or bullying and whether they are seeing this behavior or experiencing this personally. Encourage them to come to you or a trusted adult if they need to talk.
  • Focus on the value of treating others with respect and how simple acts of kindness and love can make a big difference.
• Plan for mindful media use
  • This change in routine is a good time to create or update your family media plan or schedule so you can help your child balance screen time with sleep, exercise and other healthy activities. Help them choose high-quality programs and teach them to recognize and avoid false information sources online.
  • This is also a good time to talk with your child about how they use social media and how to be respectful to others online.
•  Pray with your children.
  • Pray with your children daily. Teach them how to incorporate prayer in their daily lives so it will become part of their daily routine now and in the future.
  • Remind them about God’s presence in their lives and how He is always there to guide them throughout their day.

 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:101.  

Blessings,

Lisa Crump, Parish Nurse SLUMC