Getting Ready For School
August is a busy time for most families. Summer is winding down and school is starting up. It’s also the best time to consider a number of health issues to ensure your children have a safe and healthy school year.
Sports Physical
If your child plays sports, you may need to have a physical check-up to make sure she or he is healthy for the activity. Some sports require that a student have a signed permission form from a physician before they can participate. During the physical, your doctor will take a medical history, ask about specific health problems, such as asthma or broken bones, and perform the basics of a physical: checking the child’s height, weight, blood pressure, heart and overall health.
The doctor will also make sure your child is up to date with his or her vaccinations. (See the back page for a helpful Vaccination Chart.) Even if you child is not into sports, it’s a good idea to schedule a physical every year to track your child’s physical development.
Your child’s pediatrician is the best choice for conducting the physical exam because he or she is familiar with your child’s medical history.
Vaccinations
A physical exam is a good time to see if your child’s vaccines are up- to-date. Different school systems have different vaccine requirements, so check with your local school system to make sure your child is fully immunized and ready to attend class.
Eye Exam
Eye exams are an important part of a child’s health check-up. A child with poor eyesight will be unable to see a blackboard, leading to frustration and poor performance. Many times, children are not aware that their vision is blurred or are hesitant to tell anybody. It is estimated that five to 10 percent of preschool children and 25 percent have school-aged children have some sort of vision problem.
According to the American Optometric Association, a child’s first eye checkup should be at six months, followed by one at three years old and then another before entering kindergarten or first grade. After that, a child’s eyes should be checked at least every two years.
Nutrition
Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America. Lack of exercise and poor nutrition are two of the leading causes. Packing a healthy lunch for your children will not only keep the pounds off, it will also give them more energy and focus during the school day. If your child eats at school, check out the lunch menu together and help him or her make smart choices.
Backpacks
One of the most overlooked health issues for kids going back to school is their backpack. Too often, you see little kids carrying a backpack that’s way too heavy for their small bodies. A backpack that is too heavy or not fitted properly can cause chronic neck, shoulder and back pain. As a general rule, a backpack should never weigh more than 20 percent of a child’s weight. For example, if a child weighs 75 pounds, the backpack should weigh no more than 15 pounds. The backpack should have wide padded shoulder straps that can be adjusted. Finally, the size of the backpack should fit your child’s size. A backpack is not something that a child should “grow into.”
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