1. Stay upbeat. Point out the positive aspects of starting school, such as seeing old friends and meeting new ones.
  2. Get into the school routine. Bathe at night or in the morning, set bed time and wake time appropriate for school. Strive for 9 hours of sleep. Turn off all TVs and cell phones in preparation for sleep — lit screens just prior to bedtime disturb sleep cycles.
  3. Breakfast of champions. Studies have shown that a healthy breakfast before school is important for brain maturation throughout childhood and adolescence.
  4. Don’t forget the shots. Make sure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date before school starts. Let your health care provider know if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccines your child is scheduled to receive.
  5. Play it smart. If your child plays middle or high school sports, sports physicals should be done at least six weeks prior to beginning practice so that any issues can be addressed prior to playing. For example, a child with a new heart murmur may need an appointment with a cardiologist prior to being cleared to play sports.
  6. Medications at school. If your child will need to take medication at school, get a medication authorization note from your child’s provider. Prescription drug instruction forms, asthma action plans and food allergy action plans should be ready to go and provided to your child’s school.