The schools are ready and teachers are prepared to welcome kids back to classrooms across the state. But before the first day, set your kids up for a healthy start. 

Practice injury prevention. 

One of the most important things parents can do is prevent accidental injuries. The three most common are car crashes, drownings and firearm injuries. 

Make sure your children are properly restrained in vehicles*. Practice pool and water safety. Get your children swimming lessons. If you have guns in your house, make sure they are safely stored, locked away and not loaded. It is safest to keep guns and ammunition stored in separate areas. 

Get vaccinated. 

Parents should check to make sure kids are up to date on routine immunizations before the new school year. These vaccines protect kids and others from dangerous diseases, such as measles, mumps, chickenpox and whooping cough. 

Find vaccination requirements and locations through the South Carolina Department of Public Health website*.

An important vaccine is the flu shot, and flu season typically starts in September. The flu shot is safe and recommended for everyone over 6 months old, and the flu can be more severe in younger children. That’s why getting an annual vaccine is important. The flu shot provides protection for six months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends* getting a flu shot before the end of October.

Eat a balanced diet. 

Just like adults, children need to eat a variety of food for their health. Eating a nutritious diet can be key to good health. Make healthy foods* a priority. Serve kids whole grains, low-fat dairy products and good proteins instead of highly processed foods and sugary drinks. Recent studies show that good nutrition improves both physical health and mental health.

You can give kids a good source of necessary vitamins and minerals with a multivitamin supplement. Children can be deficient in vitamin D and calcium in their diet. They need both for strong bones. Children who don’t get enough can have an increased risk of breaking a bone. Talk to your child’s doctor about supplements and if they are needed based on your child’s diet. 

Stay active. 

Kids are spending more time in front of screens. Keeping them active* and moving is important for their health. Regular exercise helps children build strong muscles and bones, promotes healthy weight, decreases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, and can lead to better sleep. 

School-age children should be doing physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day. If 60 isn’t doable, aim for at least 30 minutes. It helps increase their metabolism and improve their overall weight balance. Find a good family hike with easy trails across the state or pick up pickleball for a family game night. This isn’t just good for the kids. Play is good for all ages. 

Take breaks from the heat. 

Extreme heat is dangerous for children who are playing outside, specifically for older athletes. They should be taking breaks about every 20 to 30 minutes for water. Seeking shade and staying hydrated are vital. We should all know the warning signs of heat-related illness*. If you get too hot and stop sweating, that is a problem. If you feel confused, dizzy or lightheaded, stop and seek a cool shelter right away. 

Drink water.

Kids need enough water*. The amount they need changes based on their age. School-age children should drink between 30 to 40 ounces, or 3 – 5 cups, of water every day. High school-age kids should drink 64 ounces, or 8 cups, of water every day. Replace sugary drinks with water.

Limit screen time. 

Screens such as televisions, tablets and cellphones can be a challenge for parents with school-age children. Limiting screen time is important. Recommendations* are based on age. 

Children under the age of 2 should have no screen time, except for video chats with grandparents or far-away relatives. That should be the limit of their screen time. Limit those ages 2 to 5 to about an hour a day of high-quality educational materials. Limit children over 6 to two hours per day. But again, choose quality over quantity. 

Parents, set a good example by putting your phone down when you tell your child to put his or her device down. 
It's important that we limit screen time for several reasons. One is overall health and improved attention span. Studies show children who have less screen time perform better in school. 

Monitor social media.  

If your child is on social media, supervise his or her use. Research shows links between social media and mental health conditions*. In 2021, health care professionals declared a national emergency in child mental health*.

Talk with your children who use these apps. There are risks for unsuitable content and cyberbullying on these platforms. 

Clock the z’s.  

Getting enough sleep is important no matter your age. But it is especially important for children. Most school-age children need nine to 12 hours of sleep a night, according* to the CDC. 

Maintaining a good routine during the school year will set kids up for success in the classroom. 

*These link to third-party websites. Those organizations are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites.