Exercise	Flu
Hygiene	Stress
Lice	Be prepared
Cold	Check up

It's time again to reset our alarm clocks and fit our "summer-ized" feet into real shoes and socks. School's "in"! Along with the necessary mental discipline that education requires, our physical bodies need some special attention to help get us in shape.

BEDTIME - Resetting our Internal Clocks Our bodies can take several weeks to make a total day/night adjustment as shift workers can attest to. Less time is needed to shore up the late to bed/late to rise patterns of summer but our psychological attitude may take even longer. Help your children along by gradually starting bedtime sooner and planning early AM fun that encourages kids to get moving without protest. For the younger set, cut afternoon naps short so that the body clock resets naturally in preparation for nursery school schedules. DIET - "You are what you eat" or "An apple a day..." With return to school some children will be eating school made lunches while others will be brown bagging. Be sure that the nutritional content of the mid day meal is at least as good as the summertime version and that adequate water is provided throughout the day.

Early morning breakfast, though often a struggle to fit in to the hectic morning rush, is more important than ever once school starts. Many a school child has fallen asleep in the middle of second period because of the lack of calories before classes started. It is wise to set limits early regarding what foods may be purchased at school (many schools have candy machines), and experiment with various home made lunches before school starts so your child will be comfortable with their choices. Be sure to pack snacks that your child will eat or trade and discuss what trades are acceptable.

Dietary changes, together with the decrease in physical activity that often accompanies back to school, can result in changes in bowel habits that can result in discomfort. Some children become particularly constipated once school begins, another reason to emphasize the need for fluid intake throughout the school day.

EXERCISE - Strong body, Strong mind Summer activities usually keep children moving and fit. School often has little to offer in the way of real physical activity and the result is often complaints of aches and pains from inactivity. To prevent muscle shutdown, plan sufficient after school activities to keep your child fit while being careful to avoid overdoing it. Use the weekend times to get out and be active and encourage play for all ages - it recharges the mind and the body. Don't forget the sun screen and insect repellent - both are still important once school begins.

HYGIENE - Cleanliness is Next to"Godliness" During the casual summer months some aspects of personal hygiene may have fallen to the wayside. Hair and nail care in particular will need to be attended to daily and daily bathing cannot depend on the jump in the pool version that we often lean on in summer months. As a result of the change from outdoor to indoor time that comes with school's opening, personal hygiene is most important in order to keep things pleasant and healthy. It's no wonder that school return also brings with it the return of unwanted visitors in the form of lice and pinworm, not to mention colds and strep throats. The close quarters breed illness less heartily when there are cleaner conditions.

LICE - Not Very Nice The epidemic occurrences of lice in the past few years is hard to fully explain but it is possible to avoid and prevent infestation on a child by child basis. The newer lice have developed strong resistance to even our most toxic pediculocides, so some of the more old fashioned methods of lice control are coming back to fashion. Closely shaved heads, generally only for the males, are back in style, if for no other reason than it makes lice control a lot easier. Keeping your child's longer hair braided and checked carefully each day for the presence of eggs (nits) or "crawlers" will help to contain the spread of lice to others. Teach your children not to share hairbrushes or combs and to avoid "trading" hats and caps. If you find lice or nits keep your child at home until you have successfully removed every one (the true meaning of nit picking) and use a recommended anti-lice shampoo according to directions for all members of the family. Report the situation to the school nurse so that others may be checked and treated before you send your child back to school again. While lice are not an indication of filth, they are unpleasant, hard to get rid of, and cause distraction in a child's attention. Some recommend the eating of garlic to put off the lice but I can't say I've seen real success with this method.

COLD PREVENTION - Chicken Soup and Penicillin Most children are free of respiratory illness during the summer months. The exceptions are the children with history of asthma or reactive airway disease. The best reason for this has to do with the decrease in crowding that comes with escaping the classroom in June each year.

Close quarters breeds diseases and colds are the most common disease transmitted in childhood years. A few simple precautions can decrease your child's vulnerability both at home and at school. Teach simple hygiene tips such as:

Make sure your children have access freely to water, even allowing them to carry a water bottle if the teacher is not eager to let them leave the room several times to drink. When your child is ill, consider adding vitamin C to their diet (check with your doctor for your particular child's needs) and make sure they get plenty of rest, whether sick or well.

FLU SEASON - An Ounce of Prevention Flu is a serious viral illness that claims lives and causes debilitating illness in many cases. It can be avoided early in the season by having a flu vaccine as soon as it is available. Although only recommended for children with chronic illnesses such as heart disease and asthma, it's a safe vaccine that almost any child can be given.

If your child tends to be sickly each winter you may want to discuss the use of flu vaccine with your doctor. If your child's "cold" seems to deteriorate into increasing lethargy and fever, particularly when accompanied with a sore throat and aches, keep your child home and consult your pediatrician for specific guidance. This is a serious illness that needs close attention.

STRESS - The Enemy of Health Regardless of how well you may prepare for the upcoming school season, stresses arise that may not be avoidable. Friendships that were solid the year before may now have gone south and little hearts can be broken with physical ailments the only outward sign. Competition in the classroom may be a bigger factor than expected when children excel at different subjects at different rates and despite our best plans, comparisons are made between children. Be especially careful to treat siblings as individuals and to caution teachers to avoid reminiscing over a previous siblings accomplishments in the presence of their current charge. Avoid over scheduling, a frequent well intentioned error of the grades 4-6 set. These children seem to be able to absorb and learn so much that the temptation to offer enrichment programs after regular school hours has led to many a very stressed child. Look for stress signs such as irritability, tearfulness, trouble sleeping, sudden weight loss or gain, recurrent complaints of headache or abdominal pain that disappear on weekends. Real disorders can emerge from stress induced origins as in some children's emotionally triggered asthma attacks so don't write off your child's symptoms as "just stress" since stress is a real threat to their health.

BE PREPARED - It Works for the Scouts The mental discipline that school requires can be approached gradually over the last weeks of summer. For the younger child, start short reading projects with arts and crafts and easy " homework" assignments. Encourage the fun aspects of learning before the sometimes weighty version of education comes along with tests and report deadlines.

Older students should review the last few weeks of subject matter from the previous school year and even offering incentives for this to happen is not beyond reasonable. After all, children need to be encouraged in ways that relate to their current level of maturity and adolescents are well aware that hard work in adulthood results in reward, something in the area of monetary or "perk" form. I have seen a promised trip to a famous water park work wonders towards achieving a total review of last years' math final. Younger children can be introduced to "star charts" that will encourage their efforts to do well at the new "chores" of back to school. Reward is always a better teacher than punishment and this is most true when it comes to leaning new and difficult subjects. A good teacher lives by this but some of the best teaching techniques can be undone by a harsh parent in the background. Try to put into place systems of reward that would work for you if you were your child and talk about this before school actually starts. Having the right tools is important in any job and school is no different. Shop early for school supplies and try to buy what is recommended by the school, avoiding fad versions that don't really do the job. You can splurge or scrimp in other areas but get good supplies in part to emphasize to your child how important their "job" truly is.

WHAT'S UP DOC - Cars Aren't All That Need a Tune-up If it's been close to a year since the last checkup in the case of school age children, take a trip to the pediatrician for a good start to the year. This may be the best opportunity to have your child's hearing and vision checked so as to detect any newly developed difficulties in these important senses. Check your child's immunization status and discuss new vaccines that might benefit your child. See the dentist and tune up your child's tooth care habits - it's always easier to have an impact when the message comes from someone in a non-family position of authority. Back to school can mean on to new adventures and exciting experiences. Take the time now to remember the good times in your own education and expand on those memories and share them with your children. When all is said and done, the greatest gift a society can offer it's future is a dynamic and educated leadership and our children will be just that before very long. Have a great school year!