Friday, July 25, 2008
Back-to-school preparation can begin now
When you are in the midst of summertime fun, it’s hard to imagine school starting up again. But a little preparation now could go a long way later.
Before you know it, it will be time to start preparing children for the more rigid schedules that come with school. Here’s what you can do ahead of time to ease the transition:
Start the bedtime and morning schedule a week or two ahead before school starts, because the rhythm can be lost during summer.
Parents of children with allergies should begin preventative medications before school, because it is the time of year when allergies kick in and this can help prevent missing school later.
Discuss behavioral expectations.
Practice homework routines before school begins.
Visit the school ahead of time with your child to help alleviate anxiety.
Get in the habit of healthy breakfasts, which provide the energy needed for the rigorous school day.
Choose the right back pack – bigger is not always better. In fact, bigger backpacks can lead to heavier loads and injuries to children. Proper technique is also crucial to avoid back and shoulder pain. For a backpack safety brochure, go to backushospital.org/backpacks.
Know what immunizations your child needs. For an immunization chart that outlines age groups and what they need, go to backushospital.org/vaccines.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff with a private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org, or comment on their blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com.
Before you know it, it will be time to start preparing children for the more rigid schedules that come with school. Here’s what you can do ahead of time to ease the transition:
Start the bedtime and morning schedule a week or two ahead before school starts, because the rhythm can be lost during summer.
Parents of children with allergies should begin preventative medications before school, because it is the time of year when allergies kick in and this can help prevent missing school later.
Discuss behavioral expectations.
Practice homework routines before school begins.
Visit the school ahead of time with your child to help alleviate anxiety.
Get in the habit of healthy breakfasts, which provide the energy needed for the rigorous school day.
Choose the right back pack – bigger is not always better. In fact, bigger backpacks can lead to heavier loads and injuries to children. Proper technique is also crucial to avoid back and shoulder pain. For a backpack safety brochure, go to backushospital.org/backpacks.
Know what immunizations your child needs. For an immunization chart that outlines age groups and what they need, go to backushospital.org/vaccines.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff with a private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org, or comment on their blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com.
# posted by ----------------- @ 2:39 PM 
