Back-to-School Health Checklist for Parents
Start the School Year Healthy, Confident, and Ready to Learn
The start of a new school year is exciting. New teachers, new friends, and new opportunities are just around the corner. However, before your child heads back to the classroom, it’s a great time to make sure their health is ready too.
A little preparation now can help prevent missed school days, reduce stress, and set your child up for success throughout the year. Use this simple back-to-school health checklist to make sure nothing gets overlooked.
1. Schedule a Well-Child Checkup
An annual wellness visit is one of the most important things you can do for your child’s health. Even if your child seems perfectly healthy, these visits allow your healthcare provider to:
- Monitor growth and development
- Check blood pressure and overall health
- Discuss nutrition and physical activity
- Screen for hearing or vision concerns
- Address emotional or behavioral issues
- Answer questions about puberty, sleep, or development
- Complete required school or sports forms
Regular checkups help identify small concerns before they become bigger problems.
2. Make Sure Vaccinations Are Up to Date
Minnesota schools require certain immunizations for attendance unless an exemption applies.
Review your child’s immunization record before school starts. If vaccinations are needed, schedule them early to avoid the last-minute rush.
If you’re unsure whether your child is current, your healthcare provider can review their records and help you catch up if needed.
3. Schedule Sports Physicals Early
If your child plans to participate in sports, activities, or marching band, they may need a sports physical.
Don’t wait until the week before practice begins. Appointments fill quickly as the school year approaches.
A sports physical helps identify medical conditions that could affect safe participation and gives families an opportunity to discuss injuries, asthma, concussions, or other concerns.
4. Check Vision and Hearing
Children often don’t realize they have trouble seeing the board or hearing instructions because they’ve adapted to the problem.
Watch for signs such as:
- Squinting
- Frequent headaches
- Sitting very close to screens
- Difficulty reading
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Trouble paying attention in class
Addressing vision or hearing problems early can make a significant difference in learning and confidence.
5. Review Medications
If your child takes daily medication, now is a good time to:
- Refill prescriptions
- Check expiration dates
- Update medication doses if needed
- Complete school medication authorization forms
- Make sure inhalers, EpiPens®, or emergency medications are available for school
Talk with your child’s school nurse about any medical conditions that require special attention during the school day.
6. Build Healthy Sleep Habits
Many children stay up later during the summer, making the return to school difficult.
Start adjusting bedtime one to two weeks before school begins by moving bedtime and wake-up time earlier by about 15–30 minutes every few days.
Children generally need:
- Ages 6–12: 9–12 hours of sleep
- Ages 13–18: 8–10 hours of sleep
Good sleep improves learning, memory, mood, athletic performance, and immune function.
7. Pack Healthy Lunches and Snacks
Nutritious meals provide the energy children need to focus throughout the day.
Try to include:
- Lean protein
- Whole grains
- Fresh fruits
- Vegetables
- Dairy or other calcium-rich foods
- Water instead of sugary drinks whenever possible
Healthy eating supports both physical growth and academic performance.
8. Talk About Mental Health
A new school year brings excitement, but it can also bring anxiety.
Take time to ask your child how they’re feeling about school. Encourage open conversations about:
- New teachers
- Friendships
- Bullying
- Academic stress
- Social media
- Changes at home
Let your child know it’s okay to ask for help if they’re struggling.
9. Encourage Healthy Habits to Prevent Illness
Simple habits can help reduce the spread of common illnesses.
Teach children to:
- Wash their hands regularly
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Stay home when they have a fever or are contagious
- Avoid sharing water bottles or utensils
- Eat healthy foods and stay active
Healthy habits benefit the entire family.
10. Don’t Ignore Small Health Concerns
Summer often leaves little time to address ongoing health issues.
Before school starts, consider getting help for:
- Frequent headaches
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Skin rashes
- Digestive problems
- Constipation
- Sleep difficulties
- Recurring ear infections
Managing these concerns before school begins can prevent unnecessary absences and help your child stay focused on learning.
Partner with Your Child’s Healthcare Team
Your child’s healthcare provider is an important partner throughout the school year. Whether your child needs a routine physical, sports clearance, vaccinations, management of a chronic condition, or simply someone to answer your questions, staying connected with a trusted primary care provider helps keep your family healthy.
At Aslan Health, we believe every child deserves affordable, compassionate healthcare. Our team is here to support your family with well-child visits, sports physicals, primary care, preventive services, and care that fits your needs—not just during back-to-school season, but all year long.
Ready for the School Year?
Getting ready for school involves much more than buying backpacks and notebooks. By taking care of your child’s health now, you’re helping them start the school year confident, healthy, and ready to learn.
If your child is due for a wellness visit or sports physical, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment before the back-to-school rush.