5 tips to help your child rule the back-to-school transition

Homework, packed after-school schedules and drama with friends. It’s enough to make any parent yearn for the long days of summer. Here are five things you can do to make your child’s first month back at school a success:

Hittin’ the hay

Although it’s hard to imagine that your teen, who sleeps in until noon on the weekends, isn’t getting enough quality zzzzs, don’t underestimate the importance of healthy sleep habits. To be at their best, teens need between nine and 10 hours of sleep every night. School-aged children require between 10 and 12 hours of sleep daily. Here are some suggestions on how to help your child develop healthy sleep habits so that they can perform at their best throughout the school day.

Back to the books

September is the perfect time of year to hit the books again, not just at school, but also at home. Reading should be a part of your child’s every day routine. Even just a few minutes will make a difference. Check out Caring for Kids for suggestions on how to help your child develop good reading habits.

Eating for success

The importance of a balanced diet cannot be overstated -  especially for active kids. Although it’s tempting to rely on pre-packaged snacks and cafeteria lunches, you need to ensure your kids are getting healthy, balanced meals. Here are some great ideas that’ll make healthy eating easy and fun.  

Mental health

Are my clothes okay? Who should I sit with at lunch? Will I understand the new schoolwork? These are just some of the questions your kids may be asking you this time of year. Feelings of anxiety are even more common in teenagers as they grow and change physically and in the face of new temptations such as relationships, drugs and sex. Healthy communication is key. Here are some tips on how you can “level” with your teen during this difficult time. Caring for Kids also has suggestions on how parents can nurture their younger children’s mental health.

Cyber safety

While social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram have strengthened our social connections, they have also created a very serious problem: cyberbullying. Are you familiar with the new alarming online trend known as “#roastme”?  If not, sit down with your child and have an open and frank conversation about how they communicate with friends online. Check out Media Smarts for tips to help teach your children how to use social media safely and respectfully. 

For more information on child and youth health and wellness, visit www.caringforkids.cps.ca.

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The information on this blog should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice. The views of blog writers do not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Paediatric Society.