Back-to-school lists should include vaccines, physicals & mental health checks, doctors say

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - As families prepare for the new school year, TriHealth Pediatrics is reminding parents that getting children ready for school also means making sure they are healthy and ready for the year ahead.

Dr. Victoria Richburg-Stephen, a pediatrician at TriHealth Pediatrics, said parents should prioritize the basics.

“So first and foremost, I would say prioritize the basics,” Dr. Richburg-Stephen said. “So encourage them to eat healthy, get a good night’s sleep, and also to engage in some form of physical activity that’s at least one hour per day. Definitely come to your physical exams each year, doing the well-child visits. At that time, we make sure that the kids are growing well and maturing and developing well. But at the same time, we also like to make sure that they’re up to date, remain up to date on their vaccines.”

Richburg-Stephen manages the physical, emotional and social health of infants, children, adolescents and young adults from birth to age 21.

Sports physicals and mental health

For children participating in sports, a pre-participation physical is another item to check off the list.

For those who play throughout the season, Richburg-Stephen recommends parents should be be mindful of a child’s mental health and behavior during this time of year.

“So, if your child is feeling nervous or anxious about starting school, especially the first day of school, I think it’s super important to just let them know that it’s normal,” she said. “It’s a normal part of trying things new. We’ve all been there. We’ve all had a first day of school. We’ve all started a job. You know, a first day on a new job, and we’ve all had that first day jitters.”

Pediatricians encourage parents to talk with their kids about how they’re feeling and watch for changes in sleep, mood or behavior.

TriHealth Pediatrics recommends families contact their pediatrician to find out which checkups, vaccines or screenings their child may need.

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