Children's Mercy Cradle Thru College Care Inc.

Back-to-School Health Checklist

Start Smart, Stay Healthy This School Year! As summer winds down and your family gets ready for backpacks, lunchboxes, and school buses, don't forget one of the most important steps in the back-to-school routine - your child's health! Here's your easy, pediatrician-approved checklist to make sure your child heads into the school year healthy, happy, and ready to learn.

🩺 1. Schedule a Back-to-School Physical

An annual physical is more than a quick checkup - it's a full review of your child's growth, development, and overall health.
At the visit, we check:

📏 Height & weight
❤️ Blood pressure & heart rate
🧠 Development & behavior
🏃‍♂️ Sports readiness
💉 Immunization updates
👩‍⚕️ Any health concerns or questions you have!

👉 Pro tip: Don't wait! Back-to-school appointments fill up quickly.

💉 2. Make Sure Vaccines Are Up-to-Date

Vaccines protect your child from serious illnesses that can spread quickly in school settings. Your pediatrician will make sure your child is up to date on:

✅ Kindergarten boosters (DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella)
✅ Tdap & Meningitis (middle school)
✅ HPV (recommended at age 11-12)
✅ COVID & flu shots (as recommended seasonally)

Not sure if your child is caught up? We can help check!

👂 3. Vision & Hearing Screenings

Kids don't always say when they can't see or hear well - but these issues can affect learning and behavior.
We recommend screening before school starts, especially if your child:

👓 Squints or complains of headaches
🦻 Has trouble following directions
📚 Struggles to stay focused in class

Clear vision and hearing help kids thrive in the classroom!

🏃 4. Get Sports & Medication Forms Completed

Is your child playing school sports or taking medication during the day? Make sure:

📄 Sports physicals and forms are signed
💊 Medication paperwork is filled out
🧴 You've sent in inhalers, EpiPens, or daily meds as needed
🏫 The school nurse has clear instructions for any special health needs

🧼 5. Talk About Healthy Habits

Now's the time to review good habits for school success:

🤲 Handwashing before eating and after the bathroom
💦 Drinking water throughout the day
😴 Getting 9-11 hours of sleep
🥪 Eating balanced meals
🧠 Talking to a trusted adult if they feel sick, sad, or stressed

Even younger kids can learn to be great at self-care!

💙 We're Here to Help You Get School-Ready

Whether it's your child's first day of preschool or their last year of high school, we're here to support your family every step of the way.

🎉 Book your back-to-school checkup now - before the calendar fills up!

📞 Call us or visit us online at
🌐 www.cradlethrucollege.com
Your child's health is our top priority - from the classroom to college and everywhere in between.

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Back-to-School Health Checklist