From the Barton County Health Department...
Back to school can cause anxiety within a family. Karen Winkelman, Public Health Director, shares a check list for helping to reduce the chaos in our homes as we prepare to head back to school.
- Plan ahead – Make a list of needed school items – clothing, lunch boxes, backpacks and materials – that can be purchased ahead of time.
- Start your bedtime and wake-up routine – Start your new routine early. Preparing children for these changes will help them stick to a regular sleeping routine and will relieve you of one concern. Make sure your kid receives a minimum 8-10 hours of sleep each night.
- Prepare a safety first mindset – The safety first approach is a crucial aspect of preparing your children for the first day of school. Make sure your children are aware of the surroundings as well as their own physical safety. Teach young children their name, how to spell it, their phone number, and the phone number of a responsible adult.
- Discuss bullying – Teach your kids to deal with bullies by reporting them to a teacher, counselor, or yourself. Explain to them the harmful effects caused by bullying.