If your child hasn't started school yet, the first day of class is right around the corner. So, as you're checking off items on your child's back-to-school to-do list, pediatricians from Cleveland Clinic Children's have some advice. First, it's important to pencil in a trip to the doctor.
"Parents need to make sure before the kids get to school that they're up to date on their vaccinations. Other reason for them to set up the appointment is if they have any physical or sport forms needed. Lot of times kids needs some kind of medication release form," explained Dr. Hanan Nashed.
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Routines get off track in the summertime so it's a good idea to start easing back into your school sleep and breakfast routines at least 7 to 10 days before school starts.
"Starting a week before school starts you wanna start eating breakfast on time. Another thing too, with regards to sleep, most kids under 12 need about 10 to 11 hours of sleep, after that is about 9 to 10 hours of sleep. You want to start to move their bedtimes back about 15-20 minutes every 2 to 3 days prior to school start," advised Dr. Richard So.
Establishing outdoor safety rules and going over them will help keep your kids safe on the way to school.
"You might want to do a dry run with your kids, walking to the bus stop, walking to school, explaining to them what might happen and what you should do, yelling for help, running, don't take a short cut through the woods," So added.
Practicing hand washing and making a habit of it in the weeks leading up the start of school can help kids ward off colds - which often pop up when kids go back.
"All we have to do is rub our eye, touch our mouth, touch something else and we've transferred germs and that's the main way people catch things," warned Dr. Michael Koniarczyk.
Both hands and wrists should be washed for 20 seconds with soap and warm water to get rid of cold and flu viruses. Doctors suggest teaching your kids to sing "Happy Birthday" twice while washing their hands. It's a good way to remember if they've washed long enough.