Back to School Tips and Reminders

Back to school season is here! And for many parents and children, this time of year means that there are several things you will need to do to in preparation for this upcoming school year. Children’s National is here to provide some helpful tips that will ensure a smooth transition from summer vacation back to the classroom.

Make sure your child is up-to-date with his/her vaccinations:
It is very important that your child is up-to-date with his/her required vaccinations, because not only is it required, but it also will prevent him/her from getting sick and contracting or spreading contagious diseases to their classmates. Not having the proper vaccines may also cause your child to miss time at school. To prevent this, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your child’s primary care physician. Most importantly, you should talk to your physician about what vaccinations your child may need and what steps they must take. With re-entering the school atmosphere or entering it for the first time, it is all the more likely he/she can be infected with contagious illnesses that are spread through close contact with other children.

See your child’s primary care doctor for back-to-school/annual check-ups: 
Annual check-ups give you and your child the chance to discuss your child’s health and development with a medical expert. Returning to the same primary care provider every year allows the provider to follow your child’s health across time, making it more likely that he or she will pick up on small changes in your child’s health that a new provider might not notice.

Schedule your child’s sports physical exam: 
Students who participate in a school sport should get a pre-participation physical exam (PPE), which can reveal any unknown risk factors or detect injury/disease. It also can help to determine your child’s general physical health.

Ensure that your child gets appropriate rest:
As the start of a new school year draws near, many children have to adjust to going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. About two weeks before the first day of school, it is recommended that parents begin to gradually adjust to earlier sleep and wake schedules so that a child’s biological clocks can get used to the new schedule.

To locate a primary care physician affiliated with Children’s National, visit:  www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/ or to schedule an appointment for a PPE exam with the Children’s Sports Medicine Program, call: 202-476-2112.