Lansing, MI (WGHN) – As Michigan families prepare for a new school year, health experts said getting children ready involves more than buying supplies. They advised establishing healthy routines before the first day of classes to make the transition from summer break much easier.
Dr. Tiffany Widner, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, recommended beginning with sleep schedules.
“Starting to work on transitioning the sleep about two weeks before the start of school is vital because anything that’s going on from a physical and a mental health perspective is exacerbated if sleep is poor,” Widner pointed out.
Widner recommended scheduling an annual wellness visit while making sure schools have current prescriptions and authorization forms for medications children may need during the day. Michigan requires updated immunization documentation for students entering kindergarten, seventh grade or a new school district.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, noted some concerns may require a separate appointment, such as eye checkups.
“If your child does have issues with their eyesight, that visit with an optometrist or ophthalmologist, very important as well. It’s easy to overlook those things, but it’s so important for a child’s success at school and so important for a child’s overall health,” Randall stressed.
Once physical health requirements are addressed, parents are encouraged to turn their attention to how children are handling the back-to-school transition. Widner added changes outside a child’s normal behavior may signal something is wrong emotionally.
“Things like signs of increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping at all, or starting to complain of physical things like headaches or stomach aches,” Widner outlined.
Health professionals emphasized preparing children for a healthy school year also includes nutritious meals, regular physical activity and close attention to their overall well-being. Parents are encouraged to consult doctors with any questions or concerns.
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