YORK, Pa. — As kids gear up to head back to school, safety is top of mind for parents and health care professionals.
Dr. Vinitha Moopen with WellSpan Health offers some tips to keep kids safe and healthy as they go back into the classroom.
One of the easiest ways to protect children against illness is by making sure they are up-to-date on vaccines. Dr. Moopen says central Pennsylvania is currently seeing an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases like pertussis and measles
"Kindergarten entry, sixth grade entry and 11th grade are big hotspots, but in between we need to make sure that the kids are up to date," she said.
One of the other most important considerations for kids' and teens' general well-being is sleep. Children need 8 - 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night at normal sleep times, such as a bedtime between 8 - 10 p.m. and rising between 6 - 8 a.m.
"That's important for their progress in school and their behavior and their health in general," Dr. Moopen said.
She recommends that parents gradually start moving kids' bedtimes back into the 'normal' range over the weeks before school starts if their summer sleep schedule has not been following this pattern.
Parents can also protect kids' heath by making sure they have a sturdy backpack that they are wearing on both shoulders--not just one, as kids and teenagers are wont to do. The heaviest items in the bag should be placed so they lay against the child's back to increase support and minimize strain. Dr. Moopen says high school students' backpacks should not exceed 15% of their body weight.
And as always, remember that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Kids need food in their bellies in order to learn.
"If you don't have a proper breakfast, it's hard to concentrate at school because your brain is lacking the glucose it needs to focus," the physician said. "So it's very important--even if it's just a shake or something--just to get that in before school starts."
Dr. Moopen says concerned parents can always talk to their doctors, nurses and pediatricians about any worries they may have for their child. If your kid needs to be seen by a doctor, click here to make an appointment with WellSpan.