It’s hard to believe it’s already time to start thinking about back-to-school. This can be an exciting, yet nerve-wracking time. Knowing this, there are steps parents can take to make back-to-school a positive experience for their kids.

The unfamiliar can make kids uneasy. Talk with them about what to expect during their first week and role play what they might do in certain situations. Talk about wearing masks. If there is something you don’t know as a parent, it’s okay to admit that you aren’t sure, but that you’ll find out together. Keep up-to-date on communications from your child’s school. Find out if there are ways to connect with teachers or to get a tour of the school. Finally, purchase school supplies and complete any other preparations early, so your child can enjoy the last few days of summer break.

During summer, late nights and late mornings can become the norm in terms of a sleep schedule. A few weeks before school starts, ease your child back into a more school-friendly sleep routine with consistent bedtimes. The start of the school year can be very challenging when children are not well rested, so also make sure to practice good sleep habits:

These are valuable tips for parents, too. It’s helpful to set a good example for your kids to follow. Click here for more sleep schedule recommendations for children to get them on track to start the new school year.

Children need good nutrition for optimal growth and learning. Make sure your kids get up early enough to eat a nutritious breakfast before heading to school. If your child isn’t a fan of breakfast foods, serve nutritious foods your child does like, even if it’s a sandwich. No time to eat at home? Have on-the-go snacks available for your child to eat on the bus. 

It’s also a good idea to offer plenty of fruits and veggies, and send a water bottle to school to ensure your child has plenty of water throughout the day. If your child brings a lunch from home, involve him or her in packing the lunch. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about good nutrition. If they eat school lunch, be sure to discuss what they ate that day, so you can help them make healthy choices.

Well-child visits are routine appointments recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to physically examine and check in on your child’s overall health and development during their milestone years.

Every parent wants to give their child the best chance to learn and develop, but can you remember when your child’s last eye exam was? If your answer is more than two years ago, it’s time to schedule an exam.

Schools require all students to be up-to-date with vaccinations.  You can contact your child’s doctor’s office to verify your child’s vaccination status before school starts. To access your child’s immunization records in Wisconsin, click here or log into your MyPrevea account. If you’d like to sign-up for MyPrevea, click here.

Schools require written permission for all medications. Be sure to contact your child’s school and obtain the necessary forms, so medication can be administered if needed. Children with food allergies or asthma may need to have a medication on-hand at school, so be sure to order refills before school starts. Contact your child’s doctor to get any necessary forms completed.

Through preparation and active parental involvement, we can ensure kids have a smooth transition into the school year. Prevea Pediatrics and other specialties are available to help you ensure your child has the very best start.

The WIAA requires student-athletes to complete a sports physical every other year. Click here for dates and locations for WIAA Sports Pre-participation Physicals.