Back to School 2009: Tips for Keeping Your Child Healthy at School

Soon our children will be back at school for the 2009-2010 school year, and there is one question that is first and foremost in most parent's mind; What can we do to keep our children healthy at school?

Here are some tips that will allow you to know that you have done everything humanly possible, to keep your child healthy while he/she is at school.

1. Make sure your child has a good, healthy breakfast

It is true that children have an easier time concentrating on their school work and studies if they start their day out with a good healthy breakfast. They don't get hungry when mid-morning comes around, and in turn get fidgety.

2. Give your child a good multi-vitamin

We cannot always insure that our children eat right, or if what they eat is sufficient to their activity level. Giving your child a good multi-vitamin will help to keep a balanced nutrition and activity level in balance. Also, a daily vitamin will help to strengthen your child's immune system; helping his/her body fight off some of the bacteria and viruses that they will come into contact with, with all the children in school.

3. Encourage your child to be active - even while in school

Encourage your child in PE and after - school activities. Learning to keep their bodies fit is best learned at a young age, and good fitness assists with good health.

4. Make sure your child eats well

I was one of those parents that was always checking out the school lunch menu. If I didn't like what the school was serving for lunch on a given day, my children took their lunches. Even though the school lunches met government standards, I usually didn't like the fact that they were so high in processed starches.

5. Send a healthy snack or juice

Most kids need a small, healthy snack before they get home from school. I always made sure they had some fruit or juice such as Sunny Delight in their back pack. It is much healthier than them going to a vending machine, plus I know what they are consuming.

6. Keep up on their immunizations

Most schools are quite prompt at letting you know when your child needs an immunization, but when you take your child in for his/her yearly physical before school starts, ask his/her doctor if there is something he/she might be needing, such as a flu shot.

7. Meet your child's teacher, and take your child with you

Right before school starts is a good time for you and your child to go in and meet the new teacher. It will help you and the teacher to build a good relationship, and your child will be more relaxed, and have peace of mind starting school already knowing the teacher.

8. Meet the guidance counselor or principal, and take your child with you

The parent and child meeting the guidance counselor or principal together, works well for two reasons. The child meets them as a person, and not as the person you have to go to when they get in trouble. And you as the parent, have the opportunity to ask how they handle certain issues such as bullying.

9. Keep the line of communication open between you and your child

Unfortunately a problem or two will crop up during the school year. Having good communication with your child will insure that they are comfortable talking with you about the bad, as well as the good.

10. Be supportive of your child and the school

It will give your child great peace of mind for him/her to know that you are as involved with the school as he/she is.