With a new school year starting for many St. Louis-area kids, it's important to remind them of ways to stay healthy so that they can be at their best. Here's some helpful back-to-school tips for both kids and parents:
1. Don't underestimate the importance of sleep. Every child needs 8 hours of sleep a night at least, which will help them function better at school.
2. Make sure their backpacks aren't too heavy. Lugging around multiple large textbooks can cause back problems over time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the weight of the backpack is in the 10-20% range of the childrens' weight.
3. Remind them to wash their hands. Schools are notorious for germs being passed back and forth, so make sure you kids understand the importance of washing their hands.
4. Know the signs of bullying. Stopbullying.gov lists these warning signs kids will often exhibit when they're being bullied. If you pick up on any of these signs, take action.
- Unexplainable injuries
- Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness
- Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
- Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
- Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem
- Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide
5. Educate kids on nutrition. Some school lunches can offer some tempting and unhealthy options that can lead to long-term health. Click HERE to find guidelines for kids ages 2 to 18, and encourage healthy eating habits.
