LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As children head back to the classroom, parents should consider an annual safety and health checklist. Experts at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offer helpful back-to-school tips to avoid the emergency room and focus on healthy extracurricular and learning activities instead.
Topics range from childhood vaccines, bullying, comprehensive vision and hearing exams, playground safety, teens and texting and symptoms to common childhood conditions often discovered in the classroom.
1. Busy and Distracted Children Can Encounter Health Issues
As
children head back to the classroom, their schedule fills up with
activities and homework. Countless hours are spent in front of the
computer, television, smart phones, iPads and video games, but the
distraction can also cause a child to hold their urge of using the
restroom and may lead to constipation or urinary tract infections (UTI).
“Kids don’t want to go to the bathroom at school; they don’t have time,
so they drink and move around less,” says Dan
Thomas, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Hospital Los
Angeles. “Parents should limit their child’s time in front of
electronics and encourage them to take frequent bathroom breaks.
Exercise and routine are essential for healthy bowel movements in
school-aged children.” If a child experiences symptoms of an UTI or
constipation, make an appointment to see a doctor.
2. Avoid Processed High-Salt Foods and Drinks in Packed
Lunches
Urologists across the country have seen a rise of
kidney stones showing up in young children due to high-salt diets.
High-sodium foods and drinks such as frozen dinners, sandwich meats,
chips, sports drinks and easy-pack meals should be consumed in
moderation. “Keep an eye on the labels and beware of high-fat and
processed foods,” says Steve
Kim, MD, pediatric urologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“Children may experience stomach pain or find blood in their urine if
passing a kidney stone. Prevention can be as easy as staying hydrated
with fluids, water is best, and instill a balanced diet for your child.”
3. Bullying in the Classroom
Stop bullying before it
starts. “Parents need to be a positive role model in how to treat
others,” says Gloria
Verret, RN, a RN Remedies nurse blogger at Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles. “If your child sees you being rude and offensive
to others, they may feel this is an acceptable behavior.” Open the lines
of communication with your child by talking about the issue of bullying.
Encourage your child to inform you right away when they, or someone they
know, are being bullied at school or online. If your child feels unsafe
at school, discuss this with the teacher immediately.
4. Monitor Teen Texting: Setting Boundaries
Most
schools restrict the use of cell phones, but 64% of teens still manage
to text during class. “When it comes to the health and academic success
of your teenager, parents can provide kids with choices and healthy
boundaries,” says Kelli
Anderson, RN, a RN Remedies nurse blogger at Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles. “There are physical and mental pitfalls associated
with adolescents who spend too much time text messaging. Issues caused
by excessive text messaging include: antisocial behavior, self-esteem
issues, cyberbullying, cell phone addiction and low grades are just a
few to mention.” [Link
to longer article]
5. Annual Eye Screenings
A comprehensive vision exam should
be as routine as a normal physical or check-up before school starts.
Studies conducted by the American Optometric Association indicate that
60% of children with learning difficulties actually suffer from
undetected vision problems. As a parent, it is important to ensure that
your child’s vision is at its best. “Good eyesight is a fundamental part
of learning in the classroom, yet many children do not have the
recommended annual eye screenings conducted at school or by
pediatricians,” says Mark
Borchert, MD a pediatric ophthalmologist in The
Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Parents should
monitor symptoms and signs of vision problems throughout the school year
as eye sight changes as children grow older.”
6. Full Diagnostic Hearing Test
Make sure your child’s
learning is at its best by getting their hearing tested. Kids are
susceptible to chronic ear infections which can potentially lead to
hearing loss. “Not all hearing problems can be detected by a school
screening, so it’s important to have a full diagnostic test,” says Bea
Smith, AuD, pediatric
audiologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Hearing loss often
goes undiagnosed which can lead to a longer learning curve for children,
speech and language delays, and even behavioral problems due to the
child not hearing or understanding instructions. It’s important to see
an audiologist to be sure their hearing is adequate for communication.”
7. Asthma and Allergy Action Plans for Teachers and School Nurse
Work
with your child’s doctor or nurse to prepare an action plan for any
health issues your child may encounter. “Review any medical records or
prescription information with the school nurse or teachers to ensure
proper dosage and care,” says Ronald
Ferdman, MD, pediatric asthma and allergy specialist at Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles. “Children with allergies or asthma may need
special accommodations in their food or treatment to maintain normal
activity levels.” Armed with the knowledge of how your child’s asthma or
allergies can be triggered, you can take preventive measures.
Download
a copy of an Asthma
Action Plan or Food
Allergy Action Plan.
8. Playground Safety
Teaching children safe playground
behaviors at home or in a public park is a first step to avoid injury at
school. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly
60% of all injuries are caused by falls to the ground. “It is critical
for parents to actively supervise children and check for broken
equipment and make sure children are wearing protective gear,” says
Helen Arbogast, MPH, CHES, coordinator of the Injury
Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Evaluate
your child’s behaviors around others and that they follow the playground
rules. Children tend to increase risk by using equipment intended for
older children and by improperly using equipment, such as sliding down
equipment backwards or jumping off monkey bars to enhance their
adventure. Be sure to stop that behavior in its tracks to avoid a trip
to the emergency room.”
9. School Year Sleep Schedule
Transitioning from later
summer vacation days into early school mornings is often difficult for
children and teenagers. On average, children should get 8 to 12 hours of
sleep per night. A sleep schedule will help establish a routine for your
child throughout the school year and can improve study and homework
habits as well. “Poor sleep habits can lead to mood swings, behavioral
problems, hyperactivity and cognitive problems,” says Michelle
A. Thompson, MD, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital. “All of
these problems can affect the way your child learns and behaves in a
classroom.”
10. Update Your Child’s Vaccinations
“Check with your
doctor to confirm that your child has received the recommended
vaccinations to protect their health and from exposure to illnesses
carried by other students at school,” says Jill
Hoffman, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles. “It’s particularly important that children receive
vaccines for pertussis (whooping cough), influenza, chicken pox, measles
and other common infectious diseases.”
To see a list of recommended vaccinations for different age groups, the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) offers parents an online immunization schedule.
About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children’s hospital in California and among the top five in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. Children’s Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. Children’s Hospital is also one of America's premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation since 1932 with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.
For more information, visit CHLA.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn, or visit our blog: WeAreChildrens.org.
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