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HealthWise Back to School By Dr. Lee Edelstein As the lazy days of summer wind down it’s time to shop for school supplies, buy another pair of new sneakers, and get back into the routine of school. With a new school year comes new teachers, new friends, and new threats to our children’s health and safety. So, to keep them safe and healthy this upcoming school year, here are a few tips to make this year the best ever. Kids get sick. Colds, coughs, tummy bugs, and flu’s are going to happen especially in the close quarters of a classroom In general the younger the child, the more frequently illnesses occur. Now, while we can’t prevent our kids from ever getting sick we can decrease the frequency of these common bugs with a few simple techniques. The single most important thing we can do to prevent the spread of germs is to wash our hands. Encourage your child to wash his hands at home and at school, before and after meals, after using the restroom, and after playing outside. Antibacterial hand sanitizers are also good to keep in your purse, the car, and your child’s book bag. Encourage your children not to share cups or straws with their friends, and do not send them to school with a fever, a red eye, an uncontrollable cough, or a runny nose with colored discharge (these are usually due to viral infections which should self resolve, but may be due to a bacterial infection). Check with your child’s school for their specific guidelines, or call your child’s pediatrician for more details. With the start of school, a little bit of freedom and independence will be bestowed upon your child. He may be allowed to ride his bike to school, or wait at the bus stop without adult supervision. Now is a good time to establish safety rules to help prevent injuries. If your child rides his bike, rollerblades, or skateboards he must wear a helmet…period! Approximately 85% of brain injuries can be prevented
with the use of a helmet so if he doesn’t want to wear one he shouldn’t get to ride his bike. When walking to school, make sure your child understands how to cross the street correctly and to use cross walks with crossing guards whenever possible. Arrange for him to walk with a buddy. For those early morning pickups consider adding a reflector to his book bag so people can see him when it is still dark. Now is also a good time to talk your child about stranger danger Remind him never to go anywhere with someone he doesn’t know, even if the person looks nice. Discuss who is allowed to pick him up from school if you are unable to,. In addition, develop a family “code word” which your child will need to hear before he can leave with anyone who is not an immediate relative. The start of a new school year is a good time to reexamine your child’s sleep habits. Poor sleep habits can make it difficult for a child to reach his maximum potential and contribute to behavioral and emotional problems. The average school age child needs 9–12 hours of sleep per night, and a set routine should be followed; for example: homework, playtime, bath, quiet time, and sleep time. Your child should not go to sleep with the TV or music playing. Nature sounds can be soothing for those kids who have difficulty falling asleep. Contact your child’s pediatrician for more difficult sleep problems. Back to school is an exciting time of the year. By discussing good hygiene, safety, and sleep habits, you can start your children off on the right foot. Remember, if you ever have questions about illnesses, injuries or development your pediatrician is just a phone call away. Lee Edelstein, M.D. 5808 Jog Rd. Lake Worth (561) 357-8993 ❂ Where You Count and Calories Don’t! Donna Dunn SIZE DOESN’T MATTER... SKILL DOESN’T MATTER... AGE DOESN’T MATTER... Go FIGURE Mention FloridaWise and Receive These Great Offers Free...1 Week Trial Membership Free...Weekly Support Groups Free...Healthy Nutritional Workshop (By a Registered Dietitian) 10% OFF...Healthy Eating Programs For Pre-Teens, Teens, Women 2 For 1...Orientation (Call for details) 4595 Hypoluxo Rd. Unit 6, Lake Worth (Corner of Military Trail & Hypoluxo Rd.) Wal-Mart Plaza FloridaWise Magazine 15
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