Back to School Health Tips: Sleep, Vaccines, and Managing Anxiety with Dr. Darien Sutton

Transitioning to a School Schedule

• 🗓️ Stair-stepping back to a routine is crucial for a smooth transition from summer freedom to school.
• 😴 Prioritize teaching children about the importance of sleep, aiming for 10-11 hours for those under 15, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• 📵 Implement a 30-60 minute wind-down period before bed, eliminating screens to help children prepare their brains for sleep.

Medical Readiness for School

• 💉 Vaccines are highlighted as highly tested medical interventions that are essential for societal progress and preventing epidemics.
• 🩺 Discussing vaccine benefits with a healthcare provider is encouraged, especially given the risks of COVID-19 complications in younger age groups.
• 🏥 Understanding the historical impact of vaccines, like those for chickenpox, underscores their value in preventing severe illness.

Addressing Back-to-School Anxiety

• 😟 Recognize that children's anxiety may manifest as physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches, or behavioral changes like irritability and isolation.
• 🗣️ Initiate open-ended conversations with children, asking about the most fun or difficult parts of their day, rather than simple yes/no questions.
• 🤔 Employ active listening by summarizing what a child says and following up with curious questions to encourage dialogue.
• ✨ Help children reframe emotions, for example, by suggesting they are