Supporting kids’ well-being during the school year
Getting in a back-to-school routine can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety for students and parents, alike. This can be a helpful time to check in with your child on both their physical and mental well-being — and make a plan to keep the conversation going all year long.
Keeping up with routine wellness appointments can help set students up for success. This includes:
- Annual physicals
- Dental checkups
- Eye exams
- Mental health screenings
Here are some tips to consider to help support your child’s well-being all year:
Talk with your child regularly about mental health
Mental health challenges continue to affect many young people. According to a National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report,1 20% of U.S. children have a developmental, emotional, mental or behavioral disorder.
Your child’s annual well child visit or routine physical may be a natural time to bring up a conversation about mental health. These visits can be a neutral environment to address any concerns your child may have, and help your child feel mentally prepared for a new school year.
At home, you can help support your child’s mental health by:
- Creating a safe, judgment-free space for conversations
- Promoting healthy routines – adequate sleep, healthy meals and physical activity
- Setting boundaries for screen time, especially social media
- Teaching coping strategies – such as breathing exercises or journaling
Prioritize physical health and well-being
Beyond a well-child visit to ensure your child’s overall health is on track, don’t forget about specialist appointments to help make sure they’re ready to learn. This may include:
- A comprehensive eye exam: 602,000 children and teens in the U.S. suffer from some form of vision loss.2 School-based screenings are valuable but may not detect more complex issues. Comprehensive exams can help identify issues early and support learning.
- A dental exam every 6 months: Tooth decay, or cavities, is one of the most common chronic diseases4 among children and may contribute to missed days at school. Regular dental visits, along with brushing twice daily, flossing and rinsing, can help keep teeth and gums healthy.
- Prioritizing proper nutrition: Proper nutrition5 is essential when it comes to supporting your child’s physical and emotional health, plus their growth and development. Healthy eating habits in early childhood can also help lower the risk of chronic conditions later in life.6 Aim for balanced meals with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy and protein, while limiting added sugars, saturated fats and sodium.
Keeping these priorities in mind as your child builds a school-year routine may help your child succeed in the classroom and beyond. These habits can help build healthy behaviors they can carry into adulthood.
Share
