SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mt. Vernon issued the following announcement on Aug. 23.
Get your kids back-to-school ready
COVID-19 has brought countless changes to our day-to-day routines. With school starting soon, it's a topic on the minds of many. While we are all proceeding forward and looking at new ways to accomplish school, here are some suggestions to help kids and parents get back to a new normal with the start of school. Whether in-person or online school, these tips are helpful to get kids back-to-school ready.
Get back on a regular sleep schedule
Many children have been on a different sleep schedule throughout the pandemic. Kids have likely been going to bed later and getting up later in the morning. To help ease kids back into a school sleep schedule, parents can start incrementally pushing up their bedtime to help ease the transition.
Have conversations about possible changes
For months we have heard and seen many different accounts about COVID-19, and kids have too. With school starting, some children may have questions or concerns. Having open, age-appropriate conversations with your children will help them know they are not alone, that we do not have all the answers, that flexibility is very important in this time of COVID-19, and that their health and safety is a top priority.
Not all their classmates or friends may be at school
Children may discover that some of their friends are returning to school, while others have chosen the virtual option for various reasons. Explain to your children that every family is different, and that household members' health and other factors influence decisions about returning to school.
Back to school anxiety
After spending many months at home, children may feel nervous about going back to school and being apart from family. Start having conversations about going back to school and finding out how they feel. Talk about situations that could cause stress such as homework or changes happening at school or in the classroom.
Mask etiquette
Many schools will be requiring masks. Before school starts, take some time to teach your children how to wear their masks properly. Encourage them to practice wearing masks for short periods at home and especially when they are out in public. Kids are notorious for misplacing items, so make sure to have extra masks available, just in case.
New school procedures
While each school's plan is different, they all may have new procedures in place such as temperature checks. For young students, this may be unsettling, since they only get their temperature checked when they are sick. Prior to school starting, get out the thermometer and explain what it does and how it helps. This may ease some of the anxiety of getting their temps taken at school.
Encourage proper hand hygiene
Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent the spread of germs. Take a moment with your child and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website together and find some helpful, age appropriate tips for on proper hand hygiene.
Preparing children for back-to-school this year will be different, yet some things, such as flexibility, sleep and support, remain the same. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's health, contact your medical provider or find a SSM Health pediatrician. Stay tuned to your local school district for the latest details and plans for the upcoming school year.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up