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Peter L. Richel, MD, FAAP, Chief of Pediatrics at Northern Westchester Hospital. Dr. Pete is a pediatrician, a specialist in the division of medicine devoted to infants, children, and young adults. After undergraduate education in his home state of Florida, he received the MD degree in 1983. Since that time, Dr. Pete has been a New Yorker.
As we approach the beginning of each school year, we must consider the ongoing health of our children. Ages differ, and therefore needs and concerns differ, but principles remain the same. Healthier children are happier children! Here are some areas to think about as the school year begins.
REST
We often allow later bedtimes during summer months, usually compensating with
later sleeping each morning. Adequate rest cannot be over emphasized. Bedtime
routines are very important, especially with earlier start times before the
school bus arrives! It would be wonderful if we could all receive ten hours
of sleep each night, wouldn’t it? Try not to overbook children with activities,
especially young children. Inadequate rest can lead to lowered resistance,
and increase susceptibility to illness. Conversely, adequate rest allows us
to function well in all facets of our day…in learning and in play.
NUTRITION
Three meals per day remains the advice of nutrition experts. Breakfast skipping
never pays, and recent studies have even shown that this can lead to weight
gain! Of course, we want to do our best to offer a good balance of all of
the food groups in our revised food pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov). Snacking
should be as healthy as possible, despite the more “fun” junk food
that is available! It is very important to encourage water drinking as much
as possible, especially in the warmer months or climates, and especially for
those involved in competitive athletics. Eating together as a family as often
as possible helps to insure good communication and closeness over time.
VACCINES
In order to enter school in kindergarten, children must meet certain requirements
with regard to vaccines, which may vary slightly depending upon which state
we live in. Your pediatrician’s recommendations should be followed. In
New York, eleven year olds must receive the TDAP in order to enter the sixth
grade. This is a wise requirement, in that it is a booster for Tetanus, Diphtheria,
and Pertussis (whooping cough). In particular, antibodies for Pertussis may
have lessened by this age, which can lead to outbreaks in the middle school
years. Parents should ask their internists about receiving this vaccine as
well. Hepatitis A vaccine and Varicella boosters (chicken pox) are recommended,
though not required, and of course we are all concerned about influenza, or
“flu”. Seasonal influenza vaccine is available now, and we expect
to have H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine by mid-October. Five companies are manufacturing
this vaccine, and it will likely be one vaccine only. It may be given at the
same time as the seasonal flu vaccine if desired. Recommendations are said
to begin with pregnant women, those with underlying medical issues at any
age, and those aged 24 years old and younger, since this has been the pattern
of those affected in 2009 thus far. Again, these are recommended but not required.
SAFETY
We must encourage safety as we approach the school year. Review and encourage
bus safety for those children who ride, and safe driving for those adolescents
who drive to high school and college. Also, regular stretching is a must for
all of us, and especially for those children who are involved in athletics.
One significant muscular strain can be a season ending injury. Finally, let’s
take good care of our backs…in addition to stretching; remember to encourage
your children to wear both straps of their backpacks for symmetry and posture.
These backpacks can be quite heavy! If they use one strap saddle book bags,
or athletic bags for gear, they should alternate sides daily.
EXERCISE
If we and our children are to be balanced in our health, we should have daily
exercise of some kind. Screen time is an important part of all of our lives
these days, but it is only stimulating to the mind, and it certainly does
improve hand-eye coordination. It is not an aerobic activity by any means!
As technology increases, it is a blessing, but we are wise to limit the amount
of time that we allow are children to have with computers, television, and
video games. Of course athletes usually garner enough exercise with training
and competition, but we should all take time daily to increase our heart rates
with aerobic exercise, such as a brisk walk at the least. Committing to regular
exercise is another wonderful opportunity for family activity…and a great
example for our children to follow into adulthood.
READING
If we exercise the body, then we should exercise the brain as well! Reading
is required for school, but we need not stop there. Leisure reading should
be encouraged as much as possible. For young children, we read to them and
with them, and older children can make choices given their different interests.
Most book stores have a children’s section with great selections. Many
book stores have a place to sit comfortably to peruse different books with
your child. Make it an outing, and not just for rainy days!
MUSIC
Just as sports and athletics are encouraged for fun and exercise, I love to
encourage music as well (www.drpetesoffice.com). Music is such a large part
of most of our lives; it provides expression of emotion that often is not
evoked otherwise. We should encourage singing and learning to play an instrument
for all children. Just as with athletics, we see over time that which a particular
individual child shows interest in, and we can further support it. Many children
excel in both music and athletics. It is wonderful to watch our children grow
and develop, and to see them blossom with differing interests and talents.
Remember to encourage and support them as the special, unique individuals
that they each are. Help them to pursue their own interests (not ours) as
they become clear to you.
COMMUNICATION
It is imperative that we always keep open lines of communication with our
children. This should begin in infancy with our interactions and continue
daily as they grow. As we enter the school years, this becomes poignant as
we must review how our child’s day went at school. Homework will need
to be done by them (not us) given their age, and we can support that and be
a helpful guide. Over time, try to instill a responsibility as students, so
that they realize that their education is their “main job”. Avoid
excess pressure, as this can be counter-productive. Don’t demand perfection;
simply encourage each child to do their best. As they do their work and accomplish,
they will have healthy self esteem. Students who achieve success as scholars,
athletes, and musicians feel good about themselves. Remember, each child is
an individual, and need not feel pressure to do all things, or to do all things
well. Try not to compare to siblings or friends. We should be encouraging
and supportive of each child and their needs, desires and interests. Again,
encourage them to simply do their best. As they grow within your family, regular
active communication will allow them to feel secure with their place in the
family, and they will feel loved and supported throughout their lives. They
will always know how much you care, and that their health and happiness mean
more to you than anything else ever could.
Let’s work together to keep our children healthy and happy! Dr. Pete
Richel
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