Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Birmingham schools are in session! Get tips from a local doctor + advice to prepare for the classroom
Reading time: 3 minutes
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Birmingham schools are in session, and it’s more important than ever to ensure your kids’ health is in check. We know the basics: Wash your hands and get plenty of exercise. But to learn a little more, we spoke to a doctor at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL).
Keep reading for her top tips!
Meet Dr. Ginnie Prater
In addition to her work as the Member Management Medical Director at BCBSAL, Dr. Prater practices part-time in UAB’s Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Clinic.
She comes with years of experience in healthcare, and she’s a mom herself, so she weighed in on some back-to-school advice.
Dr. Prater’s top 5 back-to-school tips
1. Make sure your kids are eating nutritious food
The reality: Your kid refuses to eat anything other than sugary treats, and their whining makes Goldfish for dinner sound pretty great.
Try this: Pack healthier (but still fun!) snacks in your kids’ lunchboxes. Think: Ants on a log, drawing a cartoon on a banana or fun-shaped sandwiches.
2. Get at least one hour of exercise each day
The reality: After a long day, your children (and you) are tired and want nothing more than to curl up on the couch.
Try this: Family walks, bike rides or a friendly game of front-yard wiffle ball after school. It doesn’t have to be traditional exercise; it’s about moving your body more! Think of what your kids like to do and lean into that as a family.
3. Create a healthy sleep environment for children
The reality: You’ve finished dinner and bath time, and your kids are wired from the day. They’re tossing and turning and begging for one more story before bed.
Try this: When shopping for school supplies, add new bedding to the list! Let your kids pick out a new sheet pattern to get them excited for bedtime.
4. Stay up-to-date on immunizations
The reality: Your child screams at the thought of a needle, and it breaks your heart to put them through that stress and fear.
Try this: Ask your pediatrician what your child needs, and set healthy expectations before an appointment.
5. Limit your children’s screen time
The reality: You’re on your 100th round of “Mooom…can we…?” and throwing Bluey on their tablet looks more and more pretty appealing
Try this: Set a timer for their allotted screentime each day, to give both of you a break
Keeping your kids healthy is a constant task. There are a lot of moving parts and a lot of things to remember, but here’s the good news: BCBSAL is here to help with a handy back-to-school checklist.
Learn more about how Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama builds a healthier Birmingham.
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