Healthy Back-to-School Tips

Healthy + Foods = Smart Kids

Preparing a healthy breakfast every morning will jump start the day and keep your children healthy and alert during the school year. Try eggs and fruit as opposed to sugared cereals or processed foods. To ensure good nutrition at school, pack your child’s lunch and fill it with immune-boosting foods like blueberries, whole grain breads and plenty of protein. Pediatrician Jim Sears' book, The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood, further identifies foods and eating habits that will nourish their brains all year long.

Practice Healthy Hygiene Habits

Proper hygiene starts at home. Before they head back to school, teach your children the importance of hand washing before every meal, after using the bathroom and after playing outside. They should scrub their hands with soap and water long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. Teachers and parents can find proper hand-washing techniques at www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention.

Disinfect to Protect

Regardless of personal hygiene, your children still bring home germs on their book bags and hands which land on your tables and countertops. You can help protect family members from picking up these germs on their hands by cleaning surfaces with LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray. Regular disinfection will help kill cold and flu causing viruses and bacteria.

Stress Less

Homework is important, but allowing your children to enjoy after school activities and down time is vital. Adequate exercise like playing outside or being a member of a sports team will keep your child active and healthy. Being active is also a great way to relieve stress and help keep the immune system strong.

Early to Bed

Make sure your children are well rested for school. Nine to 10 hours of sleep is a healthy amount for a child. Proper rest will keep the entire family healthy not only for the school season but all year round.

For more healthy parenting tips and tools from Pediatrician Jim Sears visit AskDrSears.com. Check out the Children's Learning Activities page to find healthy, fun and educational tools for kids.