Back-to-School Tips For Children from East Tennessee Children's Hospital

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital would like to share a few back-to-school tips to help children have a successful return:

• Developing a healthy sleep routine
  • Turn off electronics two hours before bed.
  • Establish a regular sleep time, including a wind down routine before bed. (Ex: Using a sound machine, block out curtains to reduce sunlight, etc.)
  • If possible, older children should avoid naps since it makes it harder for them to go to bed at a reasonable time.
• Handling school anxiety
  • Look for signs of avoidance or physical symptoms, such as headache or a stomachache.
  • Reassure them by reminding them it’s ok to be nervous and talk them through different scenarios to ease their mind. (Ex: What if the thing you are worried about does happen? What will you do? Will it be as bad as you think it will be?)
  • Help them cope by trying different breathing exercises or writing worries on a sheet of paper and putting them in a worry box.
• Managing screen time
  • Set time limits on screen time.
  • Create tech-free zones, such as mealtimes or in the child’s bedroom.
  • Look for interactive apps or games that engage your child, rather than staring at a screen.
• School bus safety
  • Teach your child to stand at least three giant steps back from the curb as the bus approaches and board the bus one at a time.
  • Teach your child to wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop before getting off and not to walk behind the bus.
  • If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, he or she should take five giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates it’s safe.