It’s almost time to go back to school. Is your child ready?

TopLine MD Alliance is here to help you make the transition from summer routines to the structured demands of the classroom as smoothly as possible, starting with your child’s health and wellness. Prioritizing your child’s health now helps set the tone for a successful school year.

With an extensive network of pediatricians and family medicine providers available to you, TopLine MD Alliance is ready to serve as a primary healthcare hub for your family. We want to be your go-to resource for scheduling well-child visits, staying up to date on vaccines, receiving expert advice tailored to your child’s needs, and much more. All you have to do is take the next step and find a provider today.

Getting an A+ start

The child wellness guide below is designed to help parents address common back-to-school concerns, such as maintaining your child’s health in germ-filled classrooms, establishing school routines that support learning, and protecting your child’s emotional well-being. It sounds like a lot, but with the right information and guidance, the transition back to school can be a smooth and happy one.

Parents, are you ready to learn? Let’s begin.

What does a back-to-school wellness visit include, and why are they so important? 

Your first assignment is making sure that your child has a wellness visit with a TopLine MD Alliance Network provider every year, ideally before school begins.

Well-child exams are a cornerstone of healthcare for children of all ages. These annual visits are essential for monitoring your child’s growth and development, catching any potential health issues early, and ensuring they are physically and mentally prepared for school.

A back-to-school wellness exam, also known as a well-child check or well-child visit, is a comprehensive assessment of your child’s health that typically includes:

  • Reviewing your child’s medical history (past illnesses or injuries, medications, and allergies)
  • Checking your child’s vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse)
  • Examining your child’s eyes, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, and more
  • Assessing your child’s posture, flexibility, and strength
  • Screening for vision and hearing difficulties
  • Updating vaccines and immunizations

For kids who play sports or attend a school that requires a physical exam, your TopLine MD Alliance Network provider can also fill out the necessary forms once the visit is complete. So, don’t delay – find a provider and schedule your child’s back-to-school wellness visit today.

What topics should you discuss with your child’s doctor during a back-to-school wellness visit?

Well-child visits provide an ideal opportunity to talk with your TopLine MD Alliance Network provider about any questions or concerns you have about your child’s health. During the back-to-school visit, your provider will assess and discuss things like:

  • Developmental milestones
  • Eating habits and nutrition
  • Sleep patterns
  • Emotional or mental health issues
  • Safety practices

If you have specific questions or concerns, we recommend writing a list ahead of time, so you don’t forget anything. The goal of the visit is to ensure that both parent and child are prepared for the upcoming school year and that any potential health issues are addressed.

What vaccines are required or recommended before school starts?

Generally, children need to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) before starting school.

Other vaccines to consider include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, meningococcal, COVID-19, and more. The CDC also recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone over six months of age. The flu can be especially dangerous for young children. Getting vaccinated also helps protect your child from serious flu complications like pneumonia.

Specific requirements may vary by state and even by school district, so check with your child’s school or ask your TopLine MD Alliance Network provider for more information.

How much sleep does your child need, and how can you reset their sleep schedule before school starts?

Sadly, lots of kids get an F when it comes to sleep – especially during the summer. Between late nights and erratic sleep schedules, it can be challenging for your child to get the quality sleep they need when school is out.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children between the ages of 6-12 sleep a total of 9-12 hours per 24 hours. Teenagers between the ages of 13-18 should sleep 8-10 hours per 24 hours.

If your child’s sleep is falling short, you are not alone. School-aged children often don’t get enough sleep for a variety of reasons, from school obligations to extracurricular activities. Excessive screen time, especially close to bedtime, can negatively impact your child’s sleep and make it harder for them to wind down at night, pushing bedtime even later. Over time, lack of sleep also affects their behavior and cognitive ability.

Here’s what you can do to reset your child’s sleep schedule before school begins:

  • Start early – Start shifting your child’s bedtime and wake-up time gradually (about 15-30 minutes earlier each day) at least two weeks before school starts. This slower approach helps your child’s body adjust without major disruption.
  • Be consistent – Maintain the new sleep schedule every day, even on weekends, to regulate your child’s internal clock.
  • Limit screen time – Turn off phone, computer, and television screens at least an hour or two before bedtime.
  • Prep the bedroom – Your child’s bedroom should be dark, cool, quiet, and have comfortable bedding.
  • Say no to naps – Discourage long naps, especially in the afternoon, which can interfere with overnight sleep.
  • Avoid caffeine and sugar – Drinking coffee, sodas, and other caffeinated or sugary beverages later in the day also makes it harder to sleep.

Consistent sleep improves your child’s memory, focus, attention, and ability to learn – making this sleep schedule reset well worth the effort.

What supplies should you pack to help your child stay healthy at school?

Once you have completed your child’s classroom list(s), it’s time to turn your attention to supplies that promote hygiene, hydration, and other healthy habits. Here are some examples:

  • Hand sanitizer – Carrying a small, travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer is good for quick clean-ups and helps prevent the spread of germs. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Tissues – A personal-sized pack of tissues is also a smart idea, especially during cold and flu season.
  • Reusable water bottle – Help your child stay hydrated by giving them a clean, reusable water bottle to use every day.
  • Safer lunchbox – Avoid chemical exposure by choosing a lunchbox that is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and PVC-free. Opt for stainless steel, silicone, or other safer options.
  • Proper-fitting backpack – A backpack that’s too large or heavy can cause muscle and joint injuries. Select a backpack that is proportional to your child’s size and sits comfortably on their back without sagging below their waist or extending past their shoulders. Heavier backpacks should always be worn with both straps.

What else can your child do to prevent getting sick at school?

Classrooms are often compared to petri dishes filled with germs, but there are simple things your child can do to help themselves and others stay well. Go over this list with your child before the first day of school, so they know how to do their part.

  • Wash their hands frequently – Tell your child to use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds (the amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice), especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
  • Use hand sanitizer – Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
  • Avoid touching their face – Germs can easily enter your child’s body through their eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Cover up when they cough or sneeze – Always cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow and not onto shared surfaces like desks and tables.
  • Stay away from sick kids – Avoid contact with anyone who is coughing, sneezing, or showing other signs of illness.
  • Stay home when they are sick – Keep your child home when they don’t feel well to prevent spreading germs to others.
  • Get vaccinated – Flu shots and other recommended vaccines can significantly reduce your child’s risk of getting sick.

Find a TopLine MD Alliance Network provider today

TopLine MD Alliance was created by physicians who came together to make healthcare experiences better for patients. We help patients navigate the healthcare system, connecting them with top-of-the-line healthcare providers, practices, diagnostic centers, and imaging centers we trust.

To learn more about TopLine MD Alliance and find a pediatrician or family care provider in our network, visit us online today. Have a safe, healthy, and successful school year!

The TopLine MD Alliance is an association of independent physicians and medical practice groups who are committed to providing a higher standard of healthcare services. The members of the TopLine MD Alliance have no legal or financial relationship with one another. The TopLine MD Alliance brand has no formal corporate, financial or legal ties to any of the physicians or practice groups in the network.