Back to School: Pediatrician Advice

Dr. Maria Faustina Calma, a pediatrician with 17 years of experience at in Farmingdale, shared advice to keep children healthy when they return to school in early September.

1. Sleep: Make sure your child begins a regimented sleeping routine before school starts. September is not too far away and your children will need to wake early for the school bus and stay alert all day for class. Now is the time to start getting them ready and into a routine.

Dr. Calma suggests that a week or two before school starts, parents should begin to set a regular wake-up and bedtime hour. When it comes to sleep, there is no absolute rule of thumb for how many hours your child needs to sleep per night to be well rested and energized for the next day. 

2. Eat healthy and exercise: While summer is a great time to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs off of the grill and dessert treats, parents should begin to introduce healthier items to your child’s plate. To make sure your child is eating a balanced diet, be sure to include foods from all of the major food groups – grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meats and beans.

Parents may want to acquaint themselves with the newer food pyramid issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Limit sugar, suggests Dr. Calma, and choose natural fruit juice rather than sugar-based drinks. Look for locally-grown fresh fruit and vegetable farmer’s markets in your area, she says, and allow your children to pick fresh items that they’ve never tried before. Parents should also encourage adequate physical activity for their children and monitor how many hours they spend at the computer or playing video games.

3. Read: Once school begins, children will need to focus and begin reading for all of their classes. Dr. Calma suggests that you encourage your children to start reading at least one hour each day before school starts. Perhaps they can check the reading lists at the library or choose a story time at a local bookstore.

4. Immunizations: Now is the time to check on your child’s immunizations, says Dr. Calma, and make an appointment before school starts. New York State Law requires written proof of the following immunizations for school entry: three doses DPT, three doses polio, two measles, one mumps, one rubella (or two MMR), three doses hepatitis B, and one dose of varicella (chicken pox).

Schools require proof from a doctor and no parental history is acceptable. Parents, remember: Students transferring from a parochial school to a public school are considered new entrants. Parents should also check to see if their student athletes need pre-participatory medical forms or immunizations for students who will be volunteering in nursing homes or hospitals.