The school season in full swing and can be rough on kids and parents alike. Your children are adjusting to new classrooms and learning materials. You’re adjusting to a new and demanding schedule while trying to support your kids too. That’s why establishing healthy habits at the beginning of the school year is so important. Regular, consistent routines and habits help keep kids happy while allowing them to succeed in school. Here are five easy ways you can help your kids stay happy and healthy this school year.
Make Eating Healthy Easy
As the school year approaches, it can be tempting to stock up on junk snacks that will be the envy of the lunchroom. It’s best to skip the temptation, though, and make sure that you have a wide variety of healthy snacks for your kids to choose from. Try healthy recipes at dinner and breakfast too. You may even want to incorporate foods that support your immune system into your family’s diet to fight back against the germs inundating your kids at school.
Teach and Practice Good Hygiene
Good hygiene habits help prevent the spread of illness and protect our bodies. Teach your kids the importance of washing their hands and taking care of essentials such as brushing their teeth in a simple, age-appropriate way. If you have kindergartners, you might need to focus on making hand washing fun. If you have tweens or teenagers, you might need to focus on helping them maintain good health and hygiene habits during puberty. Whatever your family’s needs, remember that it’s important to practice what you preach when it comes to hygiene.
Set Reasonable Bedtimes
It has been researched and proven time and again that a good night’s sleep helps improve concentration and emotional regulation. Your kids might think that bedtimes are downright cruel, but creating reasonable sleep expectations is one of the best things that you can do for your kids. Set a bedtime that allows kids to get the amount of sleep your pediatrician recommends before it’s time to wake up for the next day.
Respond to Signs of Stress Quickly
The pressure of schoolwork, extracurricular activities and social obligations can create stress or anxiety for kids at all developmental levels. If you notice that your child seems more stressed than usual, sit down and ask what’s going on. Help your child find good ways to manage stress. You may also want to cut back on after-school activities and focus on family time instead. Of course, if you’re concerned that your child is unable to manage stress or suffering from a stress-related illness, it’s important to get medical help right away.
Check in with Your Doctor About Vaccinations
School-aged kids don’t need nearly as many immunizations as babies and toddlers. However, it’s still a good idea to check with your pediatrician or family doctor every year to ensure that your kids are up to date on all their shots. Your doctor will also be familiar with Texas school rules and can help you determine if your kids have the immunizations they need to be enrolled in grades K-12. Remember that immunizations provide an important way to stop illnesses and keep your family safe.
At Integra Urgent Care, we know that nothing matters more than the health and safety of your kids. We’re parents and grandparents too, and we’re dedicated to helping families in our community. Whether you’re concerned that your child is ill or need to have sports physicals completed for school, we’re here to help. We welcome you to drop by and chat with one of our friendly providers.
Integra Urgent Care clinics are open in Grand Prairie, Weatherford, and Las Colinas. Walk into a center near your location today.