Mega Doctor News
As families trade late summer nights for early morning school routines, preparing children for a healthy return to the classroom involves more than checking items off a back-to-school shopping list.
Along with new notebooks and classroom essentials, prioritizing a child’s health and well-being can help set the stage for a successful school year.
Routine childhood vaccinations prevent an estimated 4 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and remain one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious vaccine-preventable diseases.
Along with staying current on immunizations, establishing healthy habits such as adequate sleep, proper nutrition, regular physical activity and routine preventive care can support children’s physical well-being, mental health and academic success.
“The start of a new school year is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring a mix of emotions for both children and parents,” said Santos Cantu, MD, a pediatric and emergency medicine specialist who serves as Medical Director of the South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s Emergency Department. “While preparing for the first day, families have an opportunity to create healthy routines that help children feel secure, confident and ready to succeed. Simple habits like getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, staying active and keeping up with annual wellness visits can have a lasting impact on a child’s physical and emotional well-being. When parents and caregivers take the time to ease children back into these routines before school begins, they’re doing more than preparing them for the classroom. They’re helping them build the foundation for a healthy, happy and successful year ahead.”
To help families make a smooth transition into the new school year, STHS Children’s recommends the following tips to establish healthy routines, stay current on preventive care and set students up for a safe, healthy and successful school year:
Schedule Annual Wellness Visits and Sports Physicals: Ensure children receive routine checkups and any required physicals before the school year begins.
Re-establish Healthy Sleep Habits: Begin adjusting bedtimes and wake-up routines several weeks before school starts to ease the transition.
Prioritize Nutrition and Hydration: Provide balanced meals and healthy snacks to support growth, development and classroom focus.
Encourage Regular Physical Activity: Daily exercise promotes physical health, emotional well-being and healthy development.
Practice Good Hygiene: Reinforce frequent handwashing, proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and the importance of staying home when sick.
Support Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Encourage open conversations about the return to school and address any concerns or anxieties children may have.
Establish Consistent Daily Routines: Structured schedules for mornings, homework and bedtime can reduce stress and improve school readiness.
Review School and Transportation Safety: Discuss bus, bicycle, pedestrian and pick-up/drop-off safety to help children travel safely to and from school.
Limit Recreational Screen Time: Balance technology use with physical activity, family time and adequate sleep to support overall well-being.
By taking proactive steps before the first day of school, parents and caregivers can help their children start the year with confidence, establish lifelong healthy habits and lay the foundation for a successful and rewarding school year.
For more than 20 years, STHS Children’s has been dedicated to caring for the children of the Rio Grande Valley, offering the region’s largest pediatric emergency department, largest Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and a comprehensive network of pediatric services. Whether families need preventive care, specialty treatment or emergency services, STHS Children’s is committed to helping children receive the high-quality care they need close to home. To learn more about the facility, visit www.sthschildrens.com.
Information source: STHS
