Four Tips to Keep Your Kids Healthy at School

Now that your kids are heading back in school, here are four tips to keep them healthy during the school year . . .

1. Fix their sleep schedule. Kids tend to stay up later in summer, so adjusting to a new sleep schedule when school starts can be hard at first. A good trick is to set your kids’ bedtime about 15 minutes earlier each night, until you reach the point that works with their school schedule.

2. Get a checkup. If your kids haven’t had their annual physical or vaccinations yet, it’s time to do that. Also make sure the school has any medications they need on hand . . . and that your emergency contact information is up-to-date.

3. Make healthy lunches. A good rule of thumb is to pack a lunch with a whole-grain item, a protein, a fruit, a veggie, and dairy like yogurt or milk. And always pack a drink, since hydration is important too.

4. Go over hand-washing. Since you won’t be supervising their hand-washing when they’re at school, make sure they know how and when to wash their hands. (Consumer Reports)