A Back-to-School Health Checklist for Keiki & Parents

It's back-to-school season, which means pretty soon your children will be bringing home reading assignments, art projects and new friends. 

They also may bring home things like chicken pox, measles, mumps and whooping cough. 

Thankfully, these diseases and many others are preventable. 

How? Immunizations. 

What are Immunizations?

Immunizations, or vaccines, expose the immune system to killed or weakened versions of harmful germs, allowing the body's natural defenses to build up protection before disease-causing bacteria or viruses can invade. 

"Immunizations are lifesaving preventive measures to protect a child from dangerous diseases that could last an entire lifetime," says Dr. Erika Noel, a pediatrician at Kauai Medical Clinic in Lihue. "There have been many diseases – polio, tetanus, measles, hepatitis, whooping cough – that once caused serious harm, even death, but have now been eradicated with the introduction of vaccines. We are fortunate to live in a time of advanced medicine so that our kids can lead healthy lives."

School Season Doesn't Need to Equal Sick Season

Before your little one heads back to class, schedule a checkup with your child's pediatrician or family medicine physician to ensure his or her vaccines are up to date.

"School is a prime gathering place for students to come together and spread germs and viruses. Having your child vaccinated will not only keep them healthy, but will also keep other kids healthy, too," Noel adds. "You can schedule your child's physical exam months in advance. And after the age of 3, there are annual exams that are recommended (this can be more frequent for children younger than 3 years of age). If you don't believe that your child has been seen by a pediatrician or a health care provider within the last year, it's time to make an appointment."

And remember, many healthy adults need shots, too!

By getting vaccinated, not only are you protecting yourself against dangerous diseases, but you're also ensuring immunity throughout your home and neighborhood. This can protect infants, older adults and others who may be at higher risk of complications from vaccine-preventable diseases like the flu. 

"Parents should always set a good example for their children, and we should all make sure we are all healthy to take care of our future generation," Noel advises. "There are certain booster vaccines that adults need, like the pertussis vaccine to protect against whooping cough and the annual flu vaccine. In babies, children, the elderly and the immune-compromised, these diseases can cause significant respiratory distress and be life-threatening." 

Patients seen at Hawaii Pacific Health's medical centers and clinics can participate in MyChart® by Hawaii Pacific Health for online access to their immunization records as well as their children's records, and to receive reminders of when their next vaccinations are due. Parents can also quickly send a message to their child's pediatrician regarding any questions or concerns they may have.

"If there are any hesitations about having your child vaccinated, talk to us," Noel says. "We would love to have a dialogue and learn from one another."

A Parent's Well-Being Checklist

Sleep, nutrition, time away from screens – helping children develop healthy habits for school often starts at home.

The following is a checklist of well-being topics for parents to help your little one prepare for the school year ahead.

Getting Kids Back on a Sleep Schedule

All summer long, your kids have probably enjoyed staying up later during the nights and sleeping in the following mornings.

Now, as your children prepare to start a new school year, you may have some trouble getting them back on a sound sleeping schedule.

Find helpful tips to creating a nighttime routine for kids and teens.

Nurture a Lifelong Love of Nutrition

Parents and caregivers play a key role in helping young children form a healthy relationship with food, which leads to support their growth and development.

To nurture your child's nutrition, you have to think outside the lunchbox.

Read tips for helping keiki (and adults!) create a healthier relationship with food.

Put a Limit on Screentime

We live in a world where we are immersed in digital media and technology 24/7. In recent years, even some lessons and homework have moved to an online format.

However, doctors have linked excessive screen time to an increase in risk for metabolic syndrome – a combination of conditions that up your risk for heart disease and stroke. Additionally, children who spend too much time in front of a screen have been found to suffer poorer sleep quality, reduced reading rates and decreased social skills.

Experts recommend parents significantly limit the hours their kids spend in front of electronics, including computers, phones, tablets, video games and TV.

Learn how to create healthy habits around screentime and how to teach teens the importance of tech safety.

Create an Environment to Have Open Conversations

From social media challenges to bullying IRL, children are confronting with challenges both in and out of the classroom.

Parents can help children feel safe to have open conversations about things like peer pressure, anxiety and other mental health concerns.

Published on: August 22, 2023