Getting Ready for Back to School

I can't believe it is time for school again. My kids had their back to school night tonight. Where did the summer go? I still had other things I wanted to do.

There are so many things to do to get ready for school. We have to buy school supplies, school clothes, gym clothes, and other things. It is also a good time to think about our kid's health.

10 Healthy Tips to Get Your Kids Ready for Back-to-School

1. Get the kids ready to get up early.
My kids love to stay up late at night and sleep in late. But I try to get them up earlier and earlier as it gets close to school so it is not as hard to get them up.

2. Get their eyes checked.
Did you know that an average of one in four children has an undetected vision problem, which can interfere with their ability to read and learn? Undiagnosed vision problems can cause learning difficulties in school age children. Visual learning accounts for 80 percent of the learning process during their first 12 years.

3. Get their school physicals.
School age kids don't necessarily need to see their doctor every year, but they do need to get occasional check ups to check their growth and to look for any silent problems. One thing the doctor does is listen for a heart murmur. That can indicate a heart problem that can lead to sudden death in athletes.

4. Get their teeth cleaned.
It is a good idea to get their teeth cleaned every 6 months. The dentist can find any cavities and repair them before they get too large.

5. Find out your child's BMI (Body Mass Index)
That will tell you if your child is normal weight or needs to lose or gain weight. Many kids are overweight. I have one that needs to gain weight.

6. Consider a daily multivitamin.
I think it is a good idea to take a daily multivitamin. Although I try, I know my kids don't always eat what they should all the time.

7. Plan any medicines needed for school.
Usually if your child has to take any medicine at school, they will need a separate bottle that will go to the nurse to dispense.

8. Get them to eat a healthy breakfast.
It is a good idea to get them started before school starts.

9. Get a good fitting pair of shoes.
I didn't think that much about it when I was a kid, but proper fitting shoes are important.

10. Talk to your child.
Ask them to talk about their fears or concerns. Hopefully, you can help.

These were some ideas for your child get a healthy start to the school year. I hope they help you.


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