The 2022-23 school year is here, and we’re celebrating by sharing tips to make the back-to-school season a healthy and happy one!
Practice good hand hygiene
Germs are all around us, so it is important to stay clean. Talk to your child about the importance of washing their hands before every meal, after they use the bathroom and after they cough, sneeze and blow their nose. This can help stop the spread of cold, flu and other germs from making their way to friends and classmates.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is one of the most important factors in your student’s success in and out of the classroom. Getting enough sleep helps to improve the ability to focus, enhances behavior, learning and memory and can help with mental and physical wellness.
According to experts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, school-aged children need between 8 to 12 hours of sleep each night, depending on their age. Children ages 6 through 12 should get 9 to 12 hours a night, and children 12 to 18 should aim for 8 to 10 hours each night.
Schedule checkups
There’s no better way to prepare for the school year than scheduling your student’s annual well-child checkup. Well-child checkups are one of the best ways to check in on your child’s growth and development and ensure they are set up for a successful year.
Well-child checkups are also the time to get your child the vaccinations they need to attend school. The Indiana Department of Health outlines required and recommended vaccinations for students, depending on their grade. The following vaccines are required or recommended for the 2022-23 school year:
Check their vision
Sight is one of the important factors in helping your child succeed in school. If they cannot see clearly, they may have difficulty reading, participating in classroom activities and interacting with their friends and classmates. When you’re scheduling your child’s well-child checkup, make sure to ask about an annual school vision evaluation. HealthLinc East Chicago Harbor, Mishawaka and Valparaiso offer optometry services in-clinic and can provide cost-effective glasses options, if necessary.