How to Keep Your Child Healthy During the School Year

Here are our top tips for keeping your child healthy, both physically and emotionally, all school year long.

1. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is the foundation of good health, especially for growing kids. Lack of sleep can lead to weakened immunity, trouble focusing, and mood swings.

Tips:

• Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends.

• Keep screens out of the bedroom.

• Aim for 9–12 hours of sleep per night (depending on age).

2. Fuel Them with Nutritious Foods

Healthy eating fuels energy, focus, and a strong immune system.

Tips:

• Pack balanced lunches with protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

• Limit sugary snacks and drinks.

• Keep healthy options available at home for after-school snacks.

3. Teach Good Hygiene Habits

The classroom is full of shared surfaces and close contact, making it easy for germs to spread.

Tips:

• Encourage handwashing before meals and after using the restroom.

• Teach kids to avoid touching their face.

• Remind them to cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands.

4. Don’t Skip the Annual Physical

A back-to-school or annual wellness exam is more than a formality, it’s a chance to track your child’s growth, discuss development, and catch concerns early.

If you haven’t scheduled your child’s physical yet, now’s the time!

5. Support Mental & Emotional Health

The school year can bring stress, social pressures, and anxiety, especially after long breaks.

Watch for signs like:

• Trouble sleeping or eating

• Avoidance of school or social events

• Changes in mood or behavior

If you're concerned, don't hesitate to reach out to your primary care provider. We can help support your child’s emotional well-being, or refer to a trusted mental health professional if needed.

6. Keep Them Active

Regular physical activity helps children sleep better, concentrate in school, and stay emotionally balanced.

Ideas:

• Encourage after-school sports or active play

• Limit recreational screen time

• Make weekends a time for family walks, hikes, or bike rides

7. Know When to Keep Your Child Home

Sometimes, the best way to keep your child, and their classmates, healthy is by keeping them home when they’re sick.

General rule:
If they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a persistent cough, let them rest at home and check in with your provider if symptoms worsen.

Need to Schedule a Check-Up?

Our team is here to support your family every step of the way. Whether it’s routine care, managing a chronic condition, or helping you navigate common school-year illnesses, we’re just a call away.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and fun school year!