A new school year means fresh notebooks, earlier alarms, and plenty of classroom germs. A few smart moves in August keep your kids healthy and focused long after the back-to-school thrill fades.
1. Immunizations & Paperwork. Do Them Early
August appointments fill fast once everyone remembers shot records are due. Email us your child’s current immunization card; we’ll flag anything missing so there are no surprises. Texas requires DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hep A/B for Pre-K through grade 5, plus Tdap and meningococcal vaccines before grade 7.
Heading to college? Ask about a second meningitis booster and MenB for dorm life.
Flu and updated COVID boosters add another layer of protection before viruses circulate.
Pro tip: Combine vaccines with a quick sports physical to knock out two forms in a single visit.
2. Reset the Sleep Clock—Gradually
A sudden 9 p.m. bedtime after weeks of late-night movies is a recipe for cranky mornings. Shift lights-out 15 minutes earlier every two nights until you hit the target.
Blackout curtains help younger kids adjust; teens benefit from blue-light filters and a “phone-park” basket in the kitchen an hour before bed. Adequate sleep powers memory consolidation and reduces sick days. Totally worth the battle!
3. Pack Smart Fuel for Brains & Bodies
Kids eat a third of their weekly calories at school. Think “protein + produce” for sustained energy: turkey roll-ups, Greek-yogurt tubes, apple slices with sunflower-seed butter, snap peas with hummus. Freeze a water bottle overnight; by lunchtime it’s cold water plus an ice pack. For picky eaters, involve them in weekend meal-prep so they “own” their food choices.
4. Teach Germ Barriers That Actually Stick
Hand-washing remains the MVP of infection control. Make it fun. A 20-second song, glow-germ lotion demo, or a family challenge (“Who can lather longest?”). Slip a travel sanitizer into backpacks for the bus. Reinforce “cover your cough,” no-share water bottles, and what to do if a classroom buddy looks sick.
5. Mental Health & Social Readiness
Back-to-school jitters are normal. Role-play new-class intros, visit the campus if schedules allow, and practice calming strategies—slow breathing, positive self-talk. Watch for red flags like stomach aches on school nights or big sleep/appetite changes, and loop us in if they persist.
Need last-minute forms or boosters? Book a back-to-school visit today
