Jennifer Jones, M.D., i s an employee of REAP d/b/a Brenham Cl in ic .Th i s hea l th in format ion i s a ser v ice of Col lege Stat ion Medica l Center and i s not intended to rep lace adv ice f rom your phys ic ian.

Brenham Clinic600 North Park Street

BrenhamClinic.com

Watch that backpack load!

When the school year starts, your child

is likely to face a few fears. They might range

from concern about the new math class to worry

about being labeled a geek for wearing clothes

that went out of fashion last week. A child starting

kindergarten or first grade might also fear

isolation, not making friends, or being unable to

find the restroom. Whatever age your child is, you

can help alleviate first-day jitters by helping your

student prepare for a new school year.

It’s important to remember that the

amount of help a student wants in planning and

preparation differs by their age. An elementary

school child needs plenty of help, while a middle

school child expects a bit more freedom. And

although an older student might not want Mom

and Dad to make any fuss at all, parents should

find ways to stay involved. High school presents

more choices, from deciding which classes to take

to choosing after-school activities.

One way to help a younger child feel good

about the start of school is to make a special trip

to the store to buy school supplies. Let your child

pick out a backpack or lunch box. Another idea is

to help your child pick out an outfit to wear the

first day. If possible, buy something new. When

your child decides what to wear in advance, it

can spare a lot of anxiety that first morning. You

might also plan a special back-to-school dinner

with your child’s help. And be sure to rise early

and prepare a favorite breakfast the first day.

Familiarity helps. It’s very important for a young student to

be familiar with new surroundings. Parents often

forget how frightening change can be to children.

To quell fears of going to a new school, make sure

you drive by the school and point it out to your

child. Take the child to the school and walk around.

Play in the playground and look in on classrooms

and the lunchroom. If the child plans to walk to

school, walk the route with him or her. Walk to the

bus stop if the youngster will ride the bus.

Establish homework rules. The real work begins after school starts.

When it comes to getting homework done, these

suggestions can help with the battle between study

time and computer games.

• Establish a daily homework time and routine.

• Establish a quiet place for study. Some

children do as well on the living-room floor as

they do at a desk in the bedroom.

• Ask about assignments and whether the

child understands them. Help if necessary, but

don’t do the work.

• Always show interest in the child’s

education. Don’t ask, “How was school?” You’re likely

to get little more than “OK” for an answer. Instead,

ask about the day’s math lesson or the problems on

a test. Know the books being read, the papers being

written, and the projects being assigned.

Remember to schedule a well-child visit today for a checkup and discussion of your child’s health needs. For an appointment, call Brenham Clinic at 979-836-6153.

Lack of sleep can have a significant

negative effect on children’s memory, judgment,

attention span, emotional stability, and even their

immunity. Yet a National Sleep Foundation survey

found that 60 percent of children under age 18

complained of being tired during the day in the

past year. Fifteen percent admitted to falling asleep

in school!

To Do Their Best, Children Need Enough Sleep.

Is your child’s backpack causing fatigue or increasing the risk of neck, shoulder, back or nerve injuries? These expert tips can help your child avoid problems caused by an overloaded or poorly fitting backpack.

• Pick a lightweight backpack with two wide, padded shoulder straps, a padded back, and a waist strap, which can help spread the load.

• Use both straps to spread the weight and promote good posture. Using one strap means one side of the body bears most of the weight.

• Take care when putting on and taking off backpacks. Avoid twisting too much. When bending to pick up a heavy backpack, bend with both knees, not at the waist.

• Position the backpack evenly in the middle of the back, near the body’s center of gravity. The backpack should sit two inches above the waist.

• Adjust the shoulder straps so the backpack can be put on and taken off with no trouble. The straps should permit free arm movement without being too loose.

• Limit the load to 10 to 15 percent or less of the child’s body weight.

• Load the heaviest items closest to the child’s back. Use all the compartments to spread the weight.

• Make frequent school locker stops to remove items that aren’t needed right away.

• If you choose a rolling backpack instead, remember that they must be carried up stairs.

Get Your Child’s School Year Off to a Great Start. Getting a good night’s

sleep is important for energy, brain development, mood and even immunity. Having a consistent bedtime and regular bedtime routine is a great first step toward getting enough sleep. Be sure to make time for winding down and turn off the TV at least an hour before going to bed.”

“

Jennifer Jones, M.D.Pediatrics

• Keep kids away from caffeine, including colas and other caffeinated drinks.• Maintain the same sleep schedule on weekends as on weekdays.• Make sure kids spend time outdoors daily.• Get children to engage in regular exercise.

• Don’t let them watch television right before bedtime.• Establish a bedtime routine that includes a wind-down period.• If your child takes medication, consider the effects of that medication on sleep. Some medicines should be taken earlier in the day.

Here are some tips that can help your child get a good night’s rest:

Did you know?More than half of children who use a backpack for school carry loads that are more than 15 percent of their body weight.

72042_CSMBCL_AdvAug_11_625x21c.indd 1 8/14/13 5:36 PM