Countdown begins for back-to-school 'chores'

Here’s a reminder. School will be starting in three short weeks. Some parents have been counting down since the first week in June, but the thinking was probably more about getting the kids out of the house than preparedness for a new school year. So, here are some tips to think about right now:

• Immunizations.

Be sure your child has the necessary vaccinations for their age group. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s website states, “Whenever children are brought into group settings, there is a potential for the spread of infectious diseases. Diseases like chickenpox, measles and whooping cough spread quickly so children need to be protected before they enter preschool and grades K-12.”

• It’s the law.

You must provide the school with your child’s immunization records at the time of enrollment. Note that seventh graders need a TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and Meningococcal shots. As a side note, all adults should get the TDaP at the same time to help contain the whooping cough epidemic that seems to be plaguing the Northwest.

• Vision and hearing.

If your child is showing any symptoms of low vision, such as squinting, consistent rubbing or closing one eye to see, get them in for an eye exam before school starts. Hand your child a book and see how closely he /she holds it to their face, or ask them to spot a small object in the distance.

Eighty percent of all children learn visually, so it’s very important for them to see property to learn properly. Poor vision also affects a child’s hand-eye coordination. It may be that your child can’t see the ball coming and isn’t just clumsy.

If you find your child turning up the volume of the TV, or not hearing what you say when you talk in a normal tone of voice, he or she may have some hearing loss. OK. We’re not talking about them ignoring you, but any signs of speech impediment, frequent inattention or inappropriate responses to questions may indicate a hearing problem.

• Resetting body clock.

With summer’s longer days allowing for later bedtimes, it’s now time to start gradually easing into the school day schedule. Start with a five to ten minute earlier wake up and bedtime and increase until school starts.

Daniel S. Lewin, Ph.D., D.ABSM, Director of Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the Children’s National Medical Center, says, “Sleep is critical for optimal health and learning, as well as the regulation of mood and attention. In making the transition back to school at a time when kids tend to be energized and nervous, going back rested is really critical for function across all domains.”

• Weigh the backpack.

Your children’s backpacks should weigh no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight. Some reports will say 20 percent, but lighter is much better to reduce the chance of back pain or injury. Some experts will also recommend that children wear closed toe shoes for protection against that pack falling on one of those little piggies.

Emergency, etc. information. Please provide the school with up-to-date pertinent information such as whom to contact in case of an emergency, any and all medications your child needs to take (even if it’s taken at home), any known allergies and certainly any physical limitations the child may have.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com, 264-4029.