A back-to-school health checklist for parents
Vaccines, vision, sleep and the forms nobody remembers until the night before. A pediatrician's list for the start of term.
Dr. Sofia Marin
Pediatrician
1 min read
The first weeks of school bring new routines, new friends and, reliably, new colds. A little preparation makes the whole term easier.
Before the first day
Vaccines. Check your child's record against the school's requirements. Kindergarten, sixth grade and the teenage years each bring new ones.
Vision. Squinting at the board or headaches after reading can be the first sign a child needs glasses. A quick screen at a well-child visit catches most problems.
Forms. Sports physicals, medication authorizations and allergy action plans all need a physician's signature. Book early; September fills up fast.
Sleep comes first
School-age children need nine to twelve hours a night, teenagers eight to ten. Start moving bedtime earlier a week before term, by fifteen minutes a night, rather than all at once on the Sunday before.
When to keep them home
Keep children home with a fever over 100.4°F, vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours, or a rash with a fever. Most other colds are fine for school if your child feels well enough to join in.
Our Upper West Side clinic sees children six days a week, with same-day appointments for anything that cannot wait.
This article is general information, not medical advice.
