Key Takeaways
A back-to-school pediatric checkup helps ensure your child is healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and prepared with any necessary care plans or medication refills for chronic conditions.
Vision and hearing screenings, along with consistent sleep and nutrition routines, can improve focus, behavior, and overall classroom success.
Supporting your child’s mental health with open conversations and daily emotional check-ins helps ease school-related stress and builds resilience for the year ahead.
Is your child ready for the school year?
While most families focus on school supplies and schedules, it’s also important to check in on your child’s health before they head back to class. From updated vaccines to vision checks and daily routines, taking a few proactive steps now can set your child up for a healthier, more successful year.
Here’s a parent-friendly checklist to make sure your child starts school feeling their best, both physically and mentally.
Schedule a Pediatric Checkup
An annual wellness visit is one of the most important things you can do to support your child’s health. This is an ideal time to track growth and development, address any concerns, and update your child’s medical history. If your child has chronic conditions like asthma or allergies, your provider may also adjust medications or provide updated care plans for school staff.
Be sure to bring any forms that require your signature for school, such as medication administration or physical clearance documents.
Review Immunization Records
Many schools require up-to-date immunizations before the start of the school year. Your provider will help confirm whether your child is current on all recommended vaccines, including:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Polio
- Hepatitis A and B
- Tdap or meningococcal (for older children and teens)
- COVID-19 or flu shots (if age-appropriate or seasonally recommended)
Schedule a Vision and Hearing Screening
Many school-aged children do not realize they have difficulty seeing or hearing. Subtle issues with vision or hearing may lead to academic struggles, behavior concerns, or missed instructions in class.
Your provider will screen for these during a wellness visit or refer you to an optometrist or audiologist if a more in-depth evaluation is needed. These early vision checks can help prevent classroom setbacks and support your child’s academic success.
Refill Prescriptions and Update Action Plans
If your child takes daily medications or has a condition like asthma, diabetes, ADHD, or severe allergies, now is the time to ensure prescriptions are current and available. Additionally, you should:
- Confirm that the school nurse has an updated action plan
- Provide any necessary emergency medications, such as inhalers or EpiPens
- Discuss when and how your child will take medication during the school day
For children with ADHD or ADD, a back-to-school checkup is also a good time to review medication effectiveness, adjust dosages if needed, and refill prescriptions before the semester begins.
When you plan ahead, it helps ensure your child’s needs are managed safely while they’re away from home.
Reinforce Daily Habits and Routines
The transition from summer to school-year routines can be tough on kids. To ease the shift, start by practicing the following:
- Earlier bedtimes and consistent wake-up times
- A balanced breakfast every morning
- Regular screen-free wind-down time before bed
These habits support your child’s energy, focus, and emotional well-being throughout the day.
Talk About Mental Health and Social Stress
The start of a new school year is often filled with excitement, but it may also trigger stress or anxiety. Schedule time for a daily check-in with your child about how they’re feeling, especially if they are changing schools, entering a new grade, or facing social challenges.
Offer words of encouragement and remind them that it’s normal to feel nervous and that support is always available, whether through a parent, school counselor, or pediatrician.
Start the School Year Strong — Book a Back-to-School Health Visit Today
When you get ahead of health checklists, it helps to reduce back-to-school stress and make the transition smoother for the whole family. By addressing physical, emotional, and developmental needs now, you’re helping your child step into the school year with confidence and a strong foundation for success. Book an appointment with a pediatrician near you today to start your back-to-school planning on the right foot.
