Clean Bill of Health

STAYING HEALTHY IN THE CLASSROOM

By ARRICCA ELIN SANSONE

Now that most kids are returning to in-person school full-time, it’s more important than ever to make sure kids are up-to-date on health-related checkups. Follow these tips from the American

Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Academy of

Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to give your child a healthy start to the new school year:

VISIT YOUR PEDIATRICIAN

Back to school checkups are the only time many kids see their doctors every year. It’s especially important if your child missed last year’s appointment. Ask about any immunizations or boosters needed. Also, some schools require a sportspecific exam before participating in team sports. Check with the coach or school if you’re not sure what’s needed.

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SEE YOUR CHILD’S DENTIST

Your child should see a dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months. Dental exams may have been put off last year, too, so make sure your child is evaluated as soon as possible. You don’t want little problems to turn into big ones! Ask about custom-fitted mouthguards, too, if your child plays sports to protect their teeth, lips and gums from injury.

SCHEDULE AN EYE EXAM

Kids should have a full vision screening every one to two years, according to the AAO. Ask about eye protection if your kid plays sports; eye protectors with polycarbonate lenses are recommended for many sports including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, hockey and lacrosse. More than 90 percent of children’s eye injuries can be prevented with sports eye protectors.

PRACTICE WEARING MASKS

Governor Murphy recently announced all K-12 students and staff must wear masks in school this fall regardless of vaccination status. The decision was made due to concerns over the Delta variant and dangers presented by children under 12 not yet being eligible for the vaccine. Now’s the time to make sure kids know it’s still necessary to mask up. Make sure your child has several masks on hand and review how to wear them properly over their mouths and noses. Wash cloth masks after each use.

GET A COMFORTABLE BACKPACK

Now that kids will be lugging books back and forth again, it’s important they have a sturdy backpack with padded shoulders and a padded back, adjusted so the bottom sits at their waistline. Pack heavier items toward the center, and make sure the loaded backpack doesn’t weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s weight. Teach kids to use both shoulder straps to avoid muscle strain (even if it looks less cool).

MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF CHILDREN’S EYE INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED WITH SPORTS EYE PROTECTORS.

DEVELOP A SLEEP ROUTINE

We know it’s been a rough year for encouraging routines of any sort but kids need sleep for concentration and learning. It’s never too late to establish a consistent bedtime. Most kids need 10 to 12 hours of sleep, while teens do best with 8 to 10 hours. Also, turn off electronics an hour or more before bedtime to prevent sleep disruption (and keep them out of kids’ bedrooms!).

Arricca Elin SanSone is a New York-based health and lifestyle writer.