Get your kids ready for a new school year 

Are your kids prepared for the new school year? Are you? While kids need to prepare emotionally and mentally for getting into the back-to-school routine, parents need to get ready on many fronts, too. Here's a handy checklist of preparations to tackle before school starts. 

Health Prep and Annual Check-ups 

To help make sure your child stays healthy during the school year: 

Get vaccinations up to date. Immunizations can protect your child against serious childhood diseases. Check with the school to find out what vaccinations are required. 

Arrange for a sports physical if your child plays sports. An exam can give you peace of mind so that your kid can handle the physical demands asked of them in school sports and extracurricular activities. In fact, most sports require a physical for a medical eligibility form. Click here to learn more about sports medicine services offered at Memorial. 

Make plans and shopping lists for healthy meals. Children who eat a nutritious breakfast function better and have more concentration and energy during the day. Some schools provide breakfast; however, if your child can't access those options, ensure they eat a healthy breakfast containing protein. Look into the school's food options inside and outside of the cafeteria to ensure there are healthy options that your child prefers. Don't forget to pack your child's water bottle and quick, healthy snacks like granola bars and fruits.   

Tune into your child's mental health. Allow your child to discuss their feelings without judgment, lectures, or punishment. Remind your child that they can tell you anything and that your home is safe. Look for any changes in behavior, such as anxiety, depression, or burnout. Prioritizing routines, meals, self-care, and family time will foster healthy coping skills and give opportunities to talk with your child in a judgment-free zone. If you are concerned, speak with your child's doctor.  

Speak with the school nurse, counselor, and teacher. If your child has any medical conditions, takes medication, or has any behavioral health issues, it is essential to speak with the appropriate faculty member about expectations and action plans. If your child receives medication at school, it is essential to have the proper forms and prescription information from your child's doctor at their school. Make sure the school has updated contact information for you and other caregivers, and health provider contact information. If your child has an allergy, dietary restrictions, or conditions that may require emergency treatment (such as asthma, seizures, or severe allergies), it is important to inform all appropriate faculty members.  

Make sure your child knows what to do in case of an emergency. Ensuring your child knows basic family information - like their parents and caretakers' full legal names, phone numbers, and places of employment - can be helpful in emergencies. If your child has allergies, dietary restrictions, or conditions requiring emergency treatment, make sure they are well-informed and feel empowered to communicate that to adults. Talk to your child about safety expectations, such as what to do around strangers and who can bring them to and from school and other activities.   

Preparations at Home 

Before the first day of school, spend time with your child on some important issues: 

Transition to school sleep/wake schedule. A good night's sleep will help your child concentrate, retain information, and prevent mood swings. To aid the transition from vacation time to school time, figure out how many weeks it will take for your child to fall into an optimum sleep routine for school nights if they go to bed and wake up 15 minutes earlier every few days before school starts. 

Talk about the positive aspects of a new school year. Children of every age may be nervous about the unknowns of a new school year. Talk about the positive aspects of a new year to help kids look forward to the first day of school.  

Choose a suitable backpack. For safety's sake, a filled backpack should weigh no more than 10% to 20% of your child's body weight. Adjust the backpack so the bottom meets your child's waist. If your child's load is heavy, consider a rolling backpack. And remember to tuck an in-case-of-emergency card in the backpack. 

Talk to your kids about bullying. Bullying is linked to a range of educational and emotional problems. Make sure your child knows: 

• To seek help from a trusted adult if they are bullied. 

• How to respond nonviolently to bullying. 

• That you're monitoring their texts and social media accounts for bullying behavior. 

• That it's never OK to bully someone, even if encouraged by others. 

Preparations for Travel to and From School 

Whether your child rides the bus, bicycle, or walks to school, take steps to ensure their safety: 

Review your child's route to school in advance. Drive the route so your child knows what to expect, or bicycle or walk the route with them. 

Set up carpooling shifts. If you prefer to drive your child, find other parents who are safety minded who they can carpool with, if needed.

Talk to your child about bus stops, bicycling, and walking safety. Make sure they know about crosswalk, biking, and walking protocols. 

Find another friend with whom your child can travel to and from school. If possible, connect with other parents in your neighborhood to find a friend your child can travel to and from school with. This will help ease the first-day jitters and help your child make new friends. Make sure to get to school early on the first day to reduce unnecessary stress.  

Before-and-After School Care Preparations 

Arrange for caretaking. If you need help before or after school, look into responsible school programs, off-site institutions, or caretakers. If a family member is caring for your child, be sure to communicate the need to follow consistent rules set by the parents regarding schedules, homework expectations, and discipline.  

Children approaching adolescence (11 to 12 years old) should not come home to an empty house unless they show unusually high maturity for their age. If adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have set times to arrive home and should check in regularly with a neighbor or parent.  

Choosing an after-school program. If after-school programs are available in your area, inquire about training, staff-to-student ratio, and safety. Talk to your child about safety, expectations, and schedules.  

Homework and Study Preparations 

Create a study area. Prepare a well-lit place where your child can do their homework. Make sure it's a quiet space without electronic distractions. 

Assist children who need extra help. Some students will need additional help to stay organized. Setting timers, checklists, and open lines of communication with teachers will help ensure your child doesn't fall behind. If you have concerns, speak with your child's teacher, utilize parent-teacher conference options, and seek additional resources like tutoring.  

Make a schedule for homework time. Set aside time in the day dedicated to homework, and consider what times are needed for academics when choosing after-school activities like sports, arts, and social clubs. Teaching your child to avoid burnout, eye and neck fatigue, and brain fog is also important. Building time into study schedules that allow your child to take a break to close the books, stretch, and engage in other activities will be helpful and can help in focus and retention.  

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Sleep Foundation; Healthychildern.org