School is already back in session. I know it’s hard to believe, because time hasn’t seemed to function normally since mid-March, but here we are in late August, and school buses are making their rounds. There are principles of health and wellness that can help kids make it through school, no matter the year. Here are three tips that will help students and parents navigate the upcoming semester:
1. Start with a Good Breakfast: Make sure to eat a healthy breakfast that will provide energy throughout the morning. Try to avoid eating only sugary cereal or toaster pastries. Also avoid soda or sugar loaded “coffee” drinks. Good options to include in breakfast are peanut or almond butter, eggs, oats, milk, greek yogurt, bananas, avocados, berries, and apples. Here are some ideas: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-breakfast-for-kids#fruit-veggies Similarly, look for school lunches and snacks that provide filling nutrition for your kid to keep them going through the rest of the school day.
2. Be Mentally Prepared for the Unexpected: This school year is more than likely to have some unexpected changes that teachers and students will have to face. It is expected that students (and teachers and parents) might have difficulty adjusting to suddenly being thrown back into virtual learning, being forced to quarantine, dealing with a sick teacher or classmate, having a sport or activity cancelled, or any other number of things that might happen due to covid-19. As parents, be ready to support your child emotionally through the ups and downs of the year, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if needed. Do your best to provide as much of a sense of normalcy as possible while we all wait for life to go back to a new “normal”. Examples include planning a family outing on a weekend when a school sport or activity has been cancelled, making sure to celebrate good grades or other achievements, and including your child in your plan making.
3. Hand washing and health maintenance: As we enter into another flu season, it is important to remember hand hygiene and vaccination guidelines. Preventing the flu is always important. It’s even more critical now, when so many of our health care resources are being used to treat patients with COVID-19. By reducing your chances of catching the flu and needing to seek medical attention for it, you are doing your part to conserve these already limited resources.
