Another school year has begun: What parents should know

Physicians share advice for the new school year

By Savannah Finley, DO; Samantha Syldort, MD; and Katherine Goth, MD

A few things every parent should keep in mind as the new school year starts are changes in mood or behavior, sleep schedules, screen time and how prepared your child is for the new year. You want to make sure now that summer has come to an end that your child is getting back on a regular sleep schedule that aligns with school hours.

Here are some questions to consider:

How much screen time will you allow?
Now that school is back, when are they going to do their homework, and what activities will they be participating in?
Did your child struggle academically last year? If so, was there a discussion with the teacher and did the causes get identified?

Another thing to consider is whether your child will need vaccines this year or if you have any forms the school has asked to be filled out by a physician. 

What happens at a back-to-school physical?

The back-to-school visit has four main components. The first is a full physical exam, in which a practitioner checks the child’s appearance, vital signs, height and weight, plus vision and all developmental milestones. The second is reviewing immunization records. Certain vaccines are required by law in order for a child to attend school. If any are incomplete, then the visit is a chance to give vaccines before the year begins.

The third part is completing any forms required by the school, such as the physical form, detailing allergies or medication concerns the school should be aware of.  The fourth is making sure that the child is ready and prepared for the new year. This involves assessing their sleep schedule, as well as emotional fears or behavioral concerns both the parents and child have. For those with chronic illnesses, this is also the time to go over medications and make necessary changes or plans to ensure that they are able to attend the year with minimal interruptions due to their conditions. 

The back-to-school physical is one of the many services that we offer at the TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency Clinic in Salisbury. It is available for new or existing patients and can even be completed after the school year has already begun.

If you are bringing your child for a back-to-school physical, here are a few tips:

Write down any concerns you have or questions you want to ask and bring them with you to the visit.
If you need forms to be completed, bring them with you to the visit and expect it to be three to five business days before you can pick them up or have them mailed to you.
If you are new to the clinic, bring the following to your first visit: your child's vaccination records, health records from their previous doctor, any IEPs or school records like report cards or evaluations you think will help us learn how your child is developing, and any school forms that you need completed.

What can parents do for their children to help ensure success over the school year?

One of the biggest things is establishing a consistent routine early. Having a regular bedtime and wake-up time, designated homework time and reasonable limits on screen time can make the transition back to school much easier. Emphasize sleep, as inadequate or poor quality sleep can cause poor daytime functioning in children and adolescents.  For younger children, visual schedules or reminder systems can be helpful.

Consistent nutritious meals also matter, and the first should be before your child has started each school day. We’d also encourage parents to build in downtime and play — not every minute needs to be scheduled. Keep the lines of communication open so kids know they can talk about academic stress, friendships, bullying or anything else that comes up.

Keep an eye out for changes in academic performance; this is often the first visible sign of a growing issue, whether it is trouble seeing the board or difficulty concentrating. A sudden or persistent change deserves attention and should not automatically be interpreted as lack of effort. 

Most importantly, set proper expectations. Success shouldn't be defined exclusively by grades. We also want children developing resilience, independence, healthy relationships, curiosity and the ability to ask for help when they need it.

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Advice for families with children meeting milestones this year

Meet your child where they are. With every milestone, encourage a little more independence while keeping communication open. Check in about more than grades — ask about friendships, stress, sleep and how they’re feeling. Remember that every child develops at their own pace, so try not to compare their journey to someone else’s.

Senior year especially can also come with a lot of pressure about what comes next, so we’d like to remind parents that success doesn’t look the same for every student. College, trade school, entering the workforce or another path can all be valid options.

As the parent, you know your child best, as you are with them day-to-day. If you do have concerns about your child and how they are developing, please feel free to voice those concerns at the visit. While all kids develop at their own pace, some may require additional services to help in their development and the sooner they are set up, the better off they will be in the long run. 

Keep health and wellness in mind all year

We’d remind families not to overlook the basics: adequate sleep, regular meals, physical activity and keeping up with routine medical and dental care. Mental health is just as important as physical health. If parents notice significant changes in mood, sleep, appetite, school performance or their child withdrawing from things they normally enjoy, that’s worth talking about with their physician.

Preparing for a new school year alongside your child can help set them up for a great year. It’s ideal to start adjusting schedules a week or two before school starts. Making a checklist or setting a schedule can do wonders for you and your child. Also, prioritize attendance at school.

Be mindful not to overbook your children, as kids need unstructured time just as much as structured time. Make sure that they are starting the day off rested and fed to support their readiness to learn at school. 

About the authors: Savannah Finley, DO, and Samantha Syldort, MD, are PGY-1 resident physicians in the TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency. Katherine Goth, MD, is the program director of the TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency.

Need to book an appointment for your child, or yourself? The TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency Clinic sees patients of all ages and is located at 1315 S. Division St. in Salisbury. Call 410-543-7720 or book online here.