Keeping Our Kids Safe for A New School Year

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

Here are four things you can start doing now to set your students up for success, according to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Mission Healthy Kids.

• Create a regular sleep schedule.

In the weeks leading up to a new school year, try moving up your child's bedtime by just a couple minutes a day. Remember children ages 6 to 11 should get between 10 and 11 hours of sleep each night, while teens should get at least nine.  Make sure your kid's room is dark, quiet, and comfortable.  Try to avoid strenuous activity and screen time for at least an hour before bed.

• Get your kid's nutrition on track.

Cut the cereal and breakfast bars. Swap them instead for nutritionally-dense foods like eggs, fresh fruit, nut butters, whole grain breads, yogurt, and milk.  Those foods will fuel your child's body and help them feel full longer.   Now is also the time to make a list of some healthy lunch and snack ideas.

• Sit down with your child and plan.

Talk in advance about grades, homework, reading time, and after-school activities. Discuss some of the positives a new school year can bring, such as seeing old friends and making new ones.  Develop a general schedule, too. With younger kids, you can even walk through what their daily routing might look like.

• Stay safe during COVID-19 Pandemic

During trying times like this worldwide pandemic, your child's safety should be the top priority.  Everyday remind your child to socially distance and wear the proper facial coverings to ensure their safety.  Also, have them bring hand sanitizer to wash their hands throughout the school day to keep them from infecting themselves and others.  

The bottom line: Try to remember what life was like in their shoes.  A new school year can be scary and cause anxiety.  Let them know those feelings are okay.  Plus, making sure they're getting enough sleep, eating well, and planning now may help your whole family ease that stress.