USHEALTH Group Logo

Insurance underwritten by:
Freedom Life Insurance Company of America
National Foundation Life Insurance Company
Enterprise Life Insurance Company

Providers
Customers / Login to MyUSHG.com
Become an Agent
  • About
    • Blog
    • Awards
    • Contact Us
  • Member Services
  • Products
    • PremierAdvantage
    • PremierChoice
    • SecureAdvantage
    • HealthAccess II
    • MedGuard
    • Accident Protector
    • IncomeProtector
    • LifeProtector
    • SecureDental
    • PremierVision
  • Markets Served
  • Mission of HOPE
  • Become an Agent
  • Customers / Login to MyUSHG.com
  • Providers
  • Get a Quote
Menu

Blog

5 Tips for a Healthy Back-to-School Transition

Home > General > 5 Tips for a Healthy Back-to-School Transition

5 Tips for a Healthy Back-to-School Transition

August 18, 2020

Whether your child is starting preschool or their senior year, the start of a new school year can be exciting and nerve-wracking. The last thing you want to do is worry about your child’s health and safety. Ease your mind by marking a few items off your back-to-school checklist. 

Back-to-School Tips for Parents

Make the transition from summer to school by following these healthy tips: 

1. Schedule Your Child’s Annual Physical 

An annual physical is essential to your child’s overall wellbeing. Yearly exams allow your pediatrician to monitor your child’s development both mentally and physically. Back-to-school exams vary based on age, but a doctor will typically check your child’s height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, throat, vision, and nose. 

Children not participating in sports only require a physical every two years. Schools typically require yearly sports physicals and are slightly more extensive compared to a routine physical. Your doctor may pay more attention to your child’s muscular strength, skeletal structure, and heart health.

2. Make Sleep a Priority  

Everyone needs sleep, but it’s especially crucial for school-aged children. Getting the recommended 9-12 hours of sleep ensures your child gets enough time for the brain and body to grow and recharge. Make sure your child gets enough sleep at night by setting a bedtime, establishing a routine, and sticking to a few essential tips:

  • Limit screen time before bedtime. Screen lights can disturb circadian rhythms and cause sleep difficulties. 
  • A dark, quiet, and cool bedroom can help your child fall and stay asleep. 
  • Avoid nighttime snacks, especially ones containing sugar or caffeine.  

3. Stock up for Healthy Meals   

Studies show a good breakfast is essential to academic success, yet, nearly 30% of children skip this meal. Breakfasts containing protein improve cognitive performance, particularly in memory and attention.  

Make sure your fridge and pantry are stocked with brain-and body-boosting foods, such as eggs, berries, oatmeal, and bananas. 

Lunch is just as important as breakfast. Skipping lunch can slow down metabolism, and reduced blood sugar disrupts your child’s ability to think straight. But all lunches aren’t created equal. One study correlated less nutritious diets with poorer performance on standardized literary exams, and another discovered that 5th graders who ate fast food scored worse on math and reading tests compared to those with healthier lunches. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for healthy lunch ideas.

4. Figure out Transportation Needs   

Approaching and leaving the bus poses a significant safety risk to your child. Be sure your child knows how to safely wait for, maneuver around, and get on and off the bus. 

Your child is 70 times more likely to get to and from school safely via bus, but sometimes taking the school bus isn’t an option. Students who attend private schools, schools outside their district, or schools that don’t offer transportation have to find alternative ways to get to class. 

Follow these safety guidelines if you choose to drive your child to school:

  • Make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt or using an age- and size-appropriate car or booster seat.
  • Children under 13 years of age must ride in the backseat. If a child needs to sit in the front passenger seat (like when carpooling), push the seat as far back as possible.
  • Many crashes occur while a driver is texting, using a cell phone, or eating. Remain vigilant by reducing as many distractions as possible.  

Children who walk or bike to school should learn and follow these safety guidelines: 

  • Always wear a bicycle helmet.
  • Respect traffic lights and stop signals and use appropriate hand signals.
  • Wear bright colors and reflective gear when possible.

You may want to walk or ride to school before the first day to ensure route safety. Younger children may need you to continue walking with them even once school starts. Try to find other children in the neighborhood your child could walk or bike with – there’s always safety in numbers. 

5. Determine Before and After School Care   

If you’re unable to make it home from work before school ends, find a responsible adult to supervise your child. Whether your designated supervisor is a friend, family member, or paid sitter, make sure they know what time to show up, whether they need to transport your child, and house rules. 

Ensure your child’s safety at an after-or-before-school program by checking staff credentials, inspecting the facility, and assuring the required emergency equipment (AED, fire extinguisher, etc.) is on hand. 

Final Thoughts from USHEALTH Group

Send your kids back to school knowing they’ll be healthy and safe. Schedule an annual physical early, help them set a regular sleep schedule, stock up on healthy foods, and make sure their routes to and from school are safe. 

Subscribe to our blog to learn more about healthy living.

 

USHA-WB6-0820

Filed Under: General, Health News, Safety Tagged With: back to school, school safety, school wellness

Search

Categories

  • Dental
  • DNA Testing
  • Fitness
  • General
  • Health Care
  • Health News
  • Mental Health
  • Nutrition
  • Press Release
  • Retirement
  • Safety
  • Vision
  • Wellness

Archives

  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • April 2015
  • November 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • March 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • June 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • July 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2010
  • February 2008
  • March 2006

Subscribe to get future updates.

By signing up, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Let us help you customize
your health coverage today.

Get Started

About Us
PPO Networks
Contact Home Office
Privacy Policy

Blog
Member Services
HOPE
Terms of Use

Legal Notice : All products are underwritten and issued by Freedom Life Insurance Company of America, National Foundation Life Insurance Company and Enterprise Life Insurance Company, wholly owned subsidiaries of USHEALTH Group, Inc. All products not available in all states. Contact a Licensed Insurance Agent for additional information.

pin

300 Burnett Street, Suite 200 Fort Worth, TX 76102-2734

phone

1-866-722-8744

close-envelope (2)

info@ushealthgroup.com

clock

7:00 AM - 7:00 PM CT Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM CT Saturday

megaphone (2)

Media Inquiries : media@ushealthgroup.com

Copyright 2022 © USHEALTH GROUP All rights reserved | Sitemap