Some children are already back in school and many more will be heading back in the next two weeks.
Getting your child ready for school involves more than just purchasing shiny new school supplies and clothes. It also involves updating your child’s immunizations, making appointments for routine screening tests and informing the school of any health issues your child may have.
Keep track of everything during this busy time with this handy back-to-school health checklist:
- Are your child’s immunizations up to date? There are great resources on when to immunize at http://www.whyimmunize.org/
- Has your family doctor or pediatrician done a vision screening for your child this year? Nearly 1 in 20 children have vision problems. This can make a real difference in the classroom and on the playground.
- Has your family doctor done a hearing screening? Again, an undetected problem could hurt your child’s ability to learn and socialize.
- Is your child scheduled for regular dental screenings? Regular checkups and cleanings help detect and prevent problems early.
- Do you have a current emergency contact form and a list of health conditions and medications for your child?
- Practice backpack safety — Make sure your child’s backpack fits properly and isn’t too heavy. Experts recommend that the backpack weigh no more than 10-15% of your child’s body weight. Broad shoulder straps and a waist strap help keep the bag in place. Learn more from the Nat’l Safety Council.
- Do you have a plan for eating right on busy mornings? Have a couple of healthy, fast breakfasts in mind, and in the pantry. This helps everyone get a good start to their day, even on busy mornings. There are some great ideas at Parenting.com
And of course, don’t forget to join us Saturday, August 10 from 8 to 11am at the Adelante Healthcare Mesa and Surprise locations! We’ll be celebrating back to school with free backpacks for the first 50 children.