Five tips for children's return to school
The start of a new year is synonymous with challenges and changes that parents, students, and teachers must face with the return to school life. For this reason, the Serena del Mar Hospital in Cartagena de Indias wants to share a series of recommendations and tips so that children receive exceptional health care and can resume their schoolwork and activities in the best possible way.
Pediatrician Fernando Galvis Alvarado, Coordinator of the Pediatrics Department at the Serena del Mar Hospital, summarized several aspects that parents should consider for their children's care upon returning to school in five basic tips: Disease and accident prevention, special medical conditions, motivation, and nutrition.
1- Disease Prevention
On this point, Dr. Fernando Galvis emphasizes the importance of paying special attention to respiratory illnesses that children may experience upon returning to school, avoiding contact with classmates and teachers.
“If a child presents symptoms related to infection, fever, cough, general malaise, runny nose, or symptoms of respiratory illnesses, it is best to keep them at home and watch for warning signs. Ideally, they should avoid contact with others and not go to school,” he stated.
Likewise, teachers are urged to inform parents about the symptoms their children are experiencing, keeping in mind that the caregiver at school is a fundamental part of the process.
Pediatrician Fernando Galvis added that it is always important to have children undergo a pediatric check-up during the weeks of vacation before returning to school so that their vaccination schedule, growth, and development can be evaluated, and nutritional recommendations can be provided for each child.
It is also important for children entering the early stages of preschool to have a hearing screening to ensure their hearing system is intact. According to Dr. Galvis, many children have undetected hearing loss or have had previous ear infections.
“Some teachers may mistakenly think a child has attention deficit disorder and is impulsive, when in fact, it turns out they are deaf. This is detected through a hearing screening test called audiometry,” he stated.
There are other illnesses, such as diabetes, in children. One of the manifestations is blurred vision due to high blood sugar levels, making an ophthalmologist checkup necessary.
2. Special Medical Conditions
For children with allergies or other special medical conditions, Dr. Galvis recommends that the pediatrician provide a health certificate that parents can show to authorized personnel at the school regarding the child's condition.
“Some children have seizures, epilepsy, or take daily medication. Therefore, it is essential that parents keep the school's health personnel informed,” Galvis emphasized.
Regarding vaccination, the Department of Pediatrics at Serena del Mar Hospital recommends completing the vaccination schedule during the first five years, which is the critical period. Likewise, vaccinations against the human papillomavirus (HPV) are necessary starting at age nine.
3- Accident Prevention
In older children in secondary school, according to pediatrician Fernando Galvis, syncope (fainting spells) occurs, which are episodes of fainting caused by hormonal changes during this stage of development.
"Syncope is a common occurrence in developing children, and overtraining, sun exposure, and dehydration can cause fainting. Therefore, prevention is important: using sunscreen and staying well-hydrated before, during, and after physical activity," the pediatrician stated.
For younger children, it is very important that preschools monitor for sharp objects and small objects. The recommendation for parents and teachers is to take special care with children under four years old.
“Fruits like mamoncillo are prohibited for children under four. Grapes, nuts, almonds, and corn are not recommended because they can cause serious accidents such as choking, and can also cause pneumonia and inflammation,” added Galvis.
An important recommendation for parents is to be informed about and understand the types of food allergies that frequently occur in children due to the consumption of certain foods and that can cause skin rashes.
4- Motivation
Regarding motivation, Dr. Galvis points out that younger children generally have a more solid learning process, and when they reach adolescence, it becomes less effective.
Hormonal changes can lead children to neglect their studies and prefer spending more time with friends. This is related to the increased motivation they experience during vacations. If children have enjoyed outdoor recreation, sports activities, family gatherings, and other activities during this time, they will be better prepared psychologically for a smooth start to the school year.
“During vacations, many parents force their children to study. It's recommended to create a schedule that includes 20 or 30 minutes of reading, playing a sport, engaging in a fun activity like learning to play a musical instrument, or doing something else of their own. Encouraging these activities is very important to awaken their creativity and motivate them for the start of classes,” emphasized Galvis.
Other recommendations before the start of classes include helping children re-establish healthy sleep habits and good sleep hygiene, which means sleeping for more than nine hours and avoiding screens, cell phones, and tablets. A television in the bedroom is not recommended unless it is turned off. It is suggested to avoid stressful activities before bedtime, such as things that don't provide much stimulation. Reading a book or creating a calm environment is preferable.
Beware of Bullying
Dr. Fernando Galvis acknowledges the importance of addressing bullying, making its identification key.
"Some children claim to have stomach aches, and sometimes this is the reason they skip class to avoid being bullied by another child. It's important to have a child psychologist available in these cases," the pediatrician stated.
5- Nutrition
Regarding nutrition for children returning to school, it's important to encourage the consumption of all food groups, including protein, carbohydrates, fats, fruits, and vegetables. The Department of Pediatrics at Serena del Mar Hospital recommends packing a healthy lunchbox, keeping in mind that all store-bought, ready-to-open foods are processed, which contain sodium, preservatives, and artificial colors that, in certain quantities, alter the food's quality and have a negative nutritional impact on children.
"It is recommended to include a fruit, a dairy product, and a protein source. Greek yogurt is important because it has good protein, as do apples, pears, and guavas. For protein, there are options such as a chicken crepe, croquettes, or chicken or pork skewers. Oatmeal waffles are also good for breakfast," Dr. Galvis emphasized.
Drinks
According to pediatrician Fernando Galvis, Coordinator of the Pediatrics Department at Serena del Mar Hospital, the best beverage is to eat the fruit separately and prioritize water consumption. He advises against using boxed juices or homemade blended juices with high sugar content.
“The sugar becomes more concentrated, and the fiber is lost. When fiber is lost, many of the fruit's beneficial properties are lost as well. Papaya juice is not the same as eating a cut papaya with a glass of water. Juice can cause constipation and abdominal pain in children. In contrast, eating cut papaya with a glass of water improves digestive function, kidney health, and relieves constipation and reflux,” the pediatrician explained.
Hospital Serena del Mar continues to write a new chapter in healthcare in Cartagena, providing exceptional health care with comprehensive support to parents and their children at every stage of their growth, with a large team of highly trained specialists with a human touch.
