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Back-to-school Checklist

Health and safety tips for successful learning

Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on September 5, 2024

Back-to-school Checklist

Health and safety tips for successful learning

Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on September 5, 2024

As your children return to a new school year, we’ve created this back-to-school checklist with health and safety tips to help them succeed in the classroom — in-person or online.

  • Fuel your children’s imaginations and energy levels with healthy lunches and snacks. Eating healthy is proven to help students achieve better grades, maintain a healthy weight, and perform better in sports. Use Canada’s Food Guide to help you and your family make healthy food choices.
  • Pack power lunches with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and proteins while minimizing highly processed foods. If you have fussy eaters, get creative with your lunchbox prep. Try slicing your veggies into carrot and celery sticks, or making fruit kebabs, and pairing them with yummy hummus, yogurt, or tzatziki dips.
  • Research shows that any well-balanced meal, high in vitamins B, C, D3, and magnesium, improves concentration, boosts the immune system and fosters a positive attitude. Start your child’s school day with a nourishing breakfast with foods like oatmeal, fresh fruits, whole grain toast, and eggs, while avoiding foods high in sugar and carbohydrates.
  • Make back-to-school shopping fun for your child, while being mindful of their health and safety. Choose a durable backpack with multiple compartments to help organize their belongings and ease their load. If your child spends a lot of time studying at home, consider investing in an ergonomically designed chair to support their posture.
  • Research shows that any well-balanced meal, high in vitamins B, C, D3, and magnesium, improves concentration, boosts the immune system and fosters a positive attitude. Start your child’s school day with a nourishing breakfast with foods like oatmeal, fresh fruits, whole grain toast, and eggs, while avoiding foods high in sugar and carbohydrates.
  • Make back-to-school shopping fun for your child, while being mindful of their health and safety. Choose a durable backpack with multiple compartments to help organize their belongings and ease their load. If your child spends a lot of time studying at home, consider investing in an ergonomically designed chair to support their posture.
  • Understand your child’s learning style and create an environment that accommodates it. For example, if you child requires complete silence to focus, set up a dedicated study area in a quiet part of the house. If your child is a visual learner, encourage them to take screenshots or photos of the material their teacher presents, which can serve as useful study aids and references at exam time.
  • Ease into your back-to-school routine by making a schedule that allows enough time for you and your family to have a nutritious breakfast and get ready for the day. Sticking to a consistent daily routine, including scheduled breaks for mental and physical well-being, will help everyone stay focused and productive. It will also help your children develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
  • Understand your child’s learning style and create an environment that accommodates it. For example, if you child requires complete silence to focus, set up a dedicated study area in a quiet part of the house. If your child is a visual learner, encourage them to take screenshots or photos of the material their teacher presents, which can serve as useful study aids and references at exam time.
  • Ease into your back-to-school routine by making a schedule that allows enough time for you and your family to have a nutritious breakfast and get ready for the day. Sticking to a consistent daily routine, including scheduled breaks for mental and physical well-being, will help everyone stay focused and productive. It will also help your children develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
  • Prepare for the school year by decluttering your space and eliminating distractions, leaving room only for what’s essential. Consider re-arranging the furniture, adding plants, or hanging new pictures, to create a more inviting and inspiring learning environment. Simple steps like cleaning your desk and adding some cozy, comfy accents to your space can make a big difference to your creativity and productivity.
  • Talk to your child about any back-to-school feelings and anxieties they may be experiencing. Returning to school can be stressful, so take time to talk to discuss their concerns and offer reassurance as they embark on this new adventure. Keeping an open line of communication will allow your child to feel supported and can strengthen their resilience for the school year ahead.

As you navigate the back-to-school season, remember that every small effort you make for your children is a step towards their success.

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A reminder that many of our individual and group benefit plans include inConfidence, a secure and confidential Counselling & Family Assistance Program. Accessible online or by phone, inConfidence provides you and your family with 24/7 access to in-person, video or telephone counselling and online resources to support physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing. The program is offered at no extra cost to you and can lead to a happier, healthier, more productive life at work, at school, and at home.

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