With the start of school approaching, it is a good time to start adjusting your child’s bedtimes and wake times in anticipation of that first early-morning wake up call.

Adjust sleep time and wake time about half an hour per day. Aim for about nine hours, or more, of sleep. For children starting a new school, or first timers that may be a bit nervous, a “dry run” could be helpful. In other words, get up, go through the morning routine, get dressed and drive to the school to review what they can expect.

For those situations in which a child really has trouble adjusting to a new school year or difficulty with the process, you may need to slowly build up the anticipation of the new year. While shopping, ask if they might need something for the new school year. TV and newspaper ads for back-to-school items can help open up the topic of the upcoming school year. Feelings that surround a new situation or entering the classroom environment can really overwhelm some children. It is best to discuss these feelings openly and honestly. Help the child to get a handle on these strong emotions by talking about them calmly and frankly. Remember, these are feelings with which the child has to come to terms. We may feel the child’s fears and emotions are silly or not necessary, but they are real. Take them seriously and be supportive. Sometimes a simple acknowledgement of their feelings is enough, but sometimes more is involved. See your local medical provider if there is a concern.

The best advice for parents is to be positive. Being positive can really help a child frame their own emotions and show them that you think school is cool. Even an older child can appreciate a parent who gets behind them and feels excited for a new school year.

Don’t forget to get those sports physicals and annual exams scheduled and ask us to review your child’s immunization records. Here’s to a good school year for all of us!