10 Tips for a Happy, Healthy School Year

A new school year is always exciting, but some families may feel nervous. Schools allow kids to congregate and spread germs, viruses, and bacteria to their classmates. Concerned parents can use these tips to ensure a happy, healthy school year for kids of any age.

1. Get Updated Vaccines

Most schools require that every student receives the necessary vaccines to enroll in classes. Check with your child’s pediatrician to see if they’re on schedule for immunizations like:

• Measles
• Influenza
• COVID-19

No matter what illnesses spread around school this year, your child will have a robust immune system to fight off severe symptoms or hospitalization. Scheduling an appointment only takes a few minutes and many vaccinations come with little to no cost with an insurance plan.

2. Practice Better Hand Washing

Kids often forget about the seriousness of handwashing. It may seem like a tedious chore for them, but it’s the best way to protect themselves from surface-prone viruses. Review hand washing techniques while making the activity more fun with sparkly soaps and songs that hold their attention for the duration of their hand washing.

3. Create a Nutritious Diet

Kids may become sick more often if they don’t eat a nutritious diet that supports their immune system. Let your family enjoy the occasional box of mac ‘n’ cheese or bowl of ice cream, but make meals with fruits and vegetables to round everything out.

4. Revise Your Sleep Schedules 

Getting enough sleep allows your body to complete an entire sleep cycle. While at rest, your body reduces inflammation that otherwise keeps your immune system busy and unable to fight viruses. If your family members get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night, their cells will remain strong enough to keep everyone healthy.

5. Give Everyone Hand Sanitizer

Sometimes your kids will need to wash their hands but they won’t be near a bathroom. They may have dirt on their hands during recess or need to eat a snack on the school bus. Sending everyone to school with miniature bottles of hand sanitizer will give them an extra resource to help them avoid illnesses when it isn’t possible to stop by a bathroom.

6. Start a Family Exercise Routine

Ask everyone to join the occasional dance party after school or take a family walk around the neighborhood. Research shows that light exercise strengthens immune vigilance and immune cell competency, so your family members will easily fight illnesses without ever realizing it.

Joining school sports is another way to get your kids more active. They’ll make new friends, create memories, and develop useful skills while staying healthy due to a better immune response to germs.

7. Pack Optional Masks

Even if your children received all of their COVID-19 vaccinations, sending them to school with optional masks is useful. If an outbreak occurs or the seasonal flu bug starts spreading, they can wear their masks for a week or two to avoid inhaling any viruses. Giving them the option empowers them to take control of their health and experience more independence.

8. Take Sick Days as Needed

Sometimes families feel pressured to forget that each student gets an allotted number of sick days each school year. They may think they shouldn’t use them until their child gets a fever, but it’s also okay to use them for head colds or mental health days.

Doing so teaches kids to care for themselves when their physical or psychological wellness weakens, setting them up for a happy, healthy school year and adulthood.

9. Teach About Antibiotic Ointment and Bandaids

Every school has at least one medical kit on standby in case a child needs bandages. Your child can carry a smaller version in their backpack. Put a few band-aids of different sizes and a tube of antibiotic ointment in a plastic baggie. You can show your child how to apply the ointment before the bandage to prevent infections if they fall during recess or gym.

10. Listen to Your Child’s Concerns

Taking care of yourself starts with validating your concerns. Kids may not have learned that lesson yet. Talk with your family members about how your home is a safe space to voice worries about getting sick, dealing with anxiety, not sleeping, or any other health concern.

Whether your child worries about an illness spreading through their class or how they’ll do on their next exam, they’ll know they can come to you for help. Together, you’ll solve the issue and develop tools to prevent it from happening again.

Have a Happy and Healthy School Year

Parents and children deserve to have a happy, healthy school year. Use these tips to empower everyone to care for themselves and each other. Minor steps like reviewing hand washing techniques, discussing mental health challenges, and packing band-aids in your child’s backpack will help everyone get the most from this academic year.