Ways to Help Your Kids Have a Healthy School Year

With kids heading back to school in the fall, here are some tips that can help the process go more smoothly:

• Prioritize sleep, exercise, and nutrition.  Ensure that students partake of healthy meals, sufficient sleep, and ample physical activity.  All are important to both academic and social success.

• Make sure checkups and immunizations are up-to-date.  Especially if your child is participating in sports, check to see if he or she needs any related exams or screenings.  If your health insurance coverage is through Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), make sure your contact information is current.

• Be mindful of your child's mental health.  Many children and teens have experienced mental health struggles over the past few years.  Let your child know it's OK to talk about how they're feeling, and let them feel comfortable about discussing difficult issues with you.  In addition, watch for any changes in behavior that worry you, or any signs of anxiety, depression, or distress.

• Talk about difficult, current issues.  Bring out into the open, topics such as racism and hate.  Encourage them to ask questions and to seek help from a trusted adult if they are involved in something personally, or if they see happening to others – any acts of bullying or discrimination.  Emphasize the importance of being kind and treating others with respect.

• Determine a balanced plan for media use.  Whether television programming, internet sites, or social media, set limits for your child and explain the potential dangers or misuse of certain sites.  Social media in particular can be both beneficial and harmful; help your child distinguish the difference between the two.