Preparing for Healthy School Year

August has become a busy time of year as Hermosa Beach youngsters prepare for the start of school—and parents follow not too far behind with packed lunches and school supplies.

To make sure that students enjoy a healthy school year, the American Academy of Pediatrics this month has released a list of tips for parents and students—from packing light backpacks to healthy lunches.

Just so you're in the know, here are some of the back-to-school guidelines from the Academy:

Easing into the first day

• If your children are feeling uneasy about starting school, remind them that they may not be the only students who are nervous. 
• Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. 

Backpack safety

• Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back so that it rests comfortably on your child.
• Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight.
• Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

Traveling to and from school

• If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus.
• Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.

• Your child should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle's seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4-feet and 9-inches in height.)
• Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. Talk to young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.
• Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
• Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
• If your children are young or are walking to a new school, walk with them the first week or until you are sure they know the route and can do it safely.

Healthy lunches

• Each 12-ounce soft drink contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60 percent. Restrict your child's soft drink consumption.

Homework habits

• Create an environment at home that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy.
• Schedule ample time for homework.
• Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.
• Supervise computer and Internet use.
• Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive.
• If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first.

— American Academy of Pediatrics.