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How to Ease Kids Into a Back-to-School Routine

Tuesday - September 20th, 2016
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While kids wish summer could last forever, it’s almost time to get back into the swing of the school year. Here’s how to get them ready for their first day back.

Set routines: Slowly move bedtimes and wake-up times to what they will be during the school year. Adhering to morning and nighttime routines will ensure teeth get brushed and flossed no matter how busy the day.

Doctor appointments: Make appointments with the pediatrician, eye doctor, and dentist. This way, your kids will start the school year healthy and avoid missing school in the rest of the year. This is also a good time to provide updated medical records to the school and make sure your kids are up-to-date on vaccinations.

Yearlong healthy habits: Stock up on backpack-sized hand sanitizer and tissues. Also, teach your kids proper hand washing techniques, to cough or sneeze into a sleeve, and not to share water bottles with friends.

Sleep schedule: Make sure everyone gets the proper amount of sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, babies 1-3 years old need 12 to 14 hours of sleep, preschooler’s ages 3-5 need 11 to 13 hours and school-aged kids ages 5-12 need 10 to 11 hours. Well-rested kids have stronger immune systems and miss less school due to illnesses.

Food choices: Teach your kids how to make healthy food choices at school. It will be tempting for them to have pizza and soda everyday, so make sure they opt for healthier options. Pack healthy veggie and fruit snacks for them to eat throughout the day.

Sources:
http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20974
http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/10791-keep-kids-healthy-and-in-school