Notebooks, pens and backpacks fill the store aisles.
It’s time to think about adopting a healthy diet, calming butterflies in the stomach and treating the dreaded back-to-school plague.
We are here for you, parents! Here’s some advice from our WellSpan experts on four back-to-school subjects, so children can celebrate a healthy year.
Food
Brains run best when it has the proper fuel. That means a balanced diet that features a good breakfast, a healthy lunch, a family dinner and nutritious snacks. Protein, whole grains, fruits and even veggies are part of the healthy fuel. Don’t forget hydration! Water and milk are great choices. Learn more here.
Feelings
It’s normal to feel a little nervous about new experiences, something a kindergartner or even a ninth grader might experience at the beginning of the school year. Set a routine, listen and reassure and find other ways to calm the butterflies with expert tips here.
And parents are not immune from experiencing their own big emotions about the transitions that come with the start of the school year. WellSpan experts have got this covered! Get some tips on managing stress whether dealing with an elementary school-age child, a middle schooler or a high schooler, or a college student leaving the nest.
Viruses
When students go back to school, they don’t only share classrooms, cafeterias and gyms. They also share germs and viruses, sometimes called the “back-to-school plague.” Parents can get tips on preventing and treating colds, fevers, stomach bugs and other illnesses here.
