1.  Make sure your student washes his or her hands regularly.  School nurses encourage parents not only to emphasize the importance of hand washing, but also to teach your children how and when to wash their hands.  Stress the importance of keeping fingers away from eyes, nose and mouth and how to cover any coughs and sneezes using elbows instead of hands.
2.  Provide a nutritious diet.  Nothing beats a little protein every morning to help kids’ brains in gear for the new day
3. Making sure kids get enough sleep.  Most studies agree that children need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep to work and play optimally.
4. Stay up to date on immunizations.  Also, make sure you keep your kids home from school when they do fall sick so that they have an opportunity to rest and recover and other children are not affected.  This will minimize the spread of illnesses.  Most schools require that students stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever subsides, but some children may require more time to ensure a full recovery.
5. Provide your child with a pack of disinfectant wipes and hand-sanitizer to keep in their desk.  This is always a good idea and sure to be appreciated by their teacher.
6. Before they start school, make sure your child has a preventive care checkup.  If your child is not currently insured, consider obtaining a health insurance policy that allows you to keep them up to date on wellness visits and vaccinations.  Open Enrollment begins November 1st and you can enroll your child in a policy at this time.

For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Create an environment 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.
— Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child’s homework for her.

— 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.

The information in this article : Back to School Tips is from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site ( http://www.aap.org ).

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.