No matter what grade your child is entering this fall, there's probably a lot to do before the first day rolls around. Here's why a complete health checkup and sports physical should be on your back-to-school checklist.
What happens during a child’s annual checkup?
Seeing the doctor at least once a year helps understand and keep track of your child's development. For some healthy kids, back-to-school could be the only time they visit the pediatrician. That makes this checkup even more important.
Regular screenings to check your child's vision, hearing, balance, breathing, heart function and more can identify possible health problems, from mild to life-threatening. Summer physicals help your child's doctor spot new health issues such as a recent injury, food allergy or difficulties with sleep.
How back-to-school checkups help children succeed in school
In addition to a physical evaluation, at the back-to-school check-up, your pediatrician can also ask about mental or emotional issues. If left untreated, those issues could make life and school much harder for your child.
They can offer guidance on building healthy habits and routines, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep and a family media plan. This way your child can be healthy and ready to learn and thrive in school.
Immunizations protect your child, family & community
All 50 states require children and teens to get certain vaccines before starting school. Vaccines teach kids’ immune systems to resist serious diseases like measles, whooping cough and chickenpox. When most children are vaccinated, serious illnesses are less likely to spread through schools and communities.
Why back-to-school immunizations matter
Immunizations are one of the most important things we can do to support healthy schools where kids can learn, grow and thrive.
Following the American Academy of Pediatrics
vaccine guidance helps your child’s immune system be ready to resist 16 serious diseases by the time they start kindergarten. Vaccines help their immune system stay ahead of germs so they don’t get sick and miss school.
Vaccines keep your child’s friends, family and communities healthy, too. Sometimes, a child might have a medical reason to skip one or more shots. But when everyone who can get a vaccine does so, it’s harder for contagious diseases to spread.
Does my child need a sports physical if they don’t play sports?
The AAP recommends sports physicals for all children and teens, even those who don't plan to join a team. This part of your child's back-to-school checkup helps their doctor review concerns like diet, physical fitness and your child's body image.
Sports and other extracurricular activities can be great for kids. They boost physical activity, emotional health and a sense of belonging. If your child is interested in sports but not sure how or where to get involved, your pediatrician can help connect your family with teams and leagues in your community.
Do student athletes need proof of a sports physical?
Yes. Student athletes may need to submit forms showing they've had a sports physical, so adding this to your back-to-school routine saves time. During this visit, your pediatrician can give you tips to avoid injuries, eat healthy for athletic success and more.
How to prepare for your child’s back to school checkup?
Check with your child's school to make sure you have the right forms before heading to the doctor's office. Along with basic health screenings and sports exams, you may need to file paperwork if your child takes medication at school. This could include prescriptions for asthma, ADHD, seizures or serious allergies.
Communicating with the school health team now ensures that you are both on the same page when handling health emergencies all year long.
Remember
Seeing the doctor at least once a year helps to keep an eye on your child's growth and development. It’s an easy, effective way to check on your child's overall health and get answers for any questions you might have.
Regular visits also give pediatricians the chance to screen for health conditions of all kinds, from vision and hearing to mental and emotional concerns that can lead to school struggles.
If you're facing difficulties with housing, nutrition, health care expenses or anything else that affects your family's well-being, ask about local resources and programs that can help.
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