For parents of those returning to - or even starting - full-time education, here's a round-up of various useful links to help your child stay healthy and happy throughout their school days:
The First Day
The first day at school is a memorable milestone for little ones, but it doesn't have to be a difficult experience for either parent or child. Parenting expert and mother of three, Dr Pat Spungin offers some advice to help make the transition as easy as possible:http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/childhealth1-5/pages/firstdayofschool.aspx
Ofsted's tips to prevent first day fears at primary school:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/PreparingFortheFirstDayAtSchool/DG_4016576
Lice
It's been a long time since 'Nitty Nora, the Biddy Explorer' did the rounds, so head lice can unfortunately be part of primary school life. Here's some practical advice to treat 'nits' with a video clip from a pharmacist explaining why children get them more than adults:
http://www.nhs.uk/planners/birthtofive/pages/headlice.aspx
Walking to School
It's well worth the little planning required to walk your children to school. Not only will it improve both parent and child's fitness levels, but it saves on petrols costs too. Even two or three times a week will be beneficial. To demonstrate how this can be incorporated with your daily routine, here's a video of Mum Nina starting a new walk-to-school routine with her two young children:http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/onabudget/pages/walktoschool.aspx
Of course, walking is great for fitness and building confidence, but it's important that children and teenagers cross the road safely:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/roadsafety/pages/pedestrians.aspx
Healthy Lunches
Since Jamie Oliver's campaigned for healthy school dinners, getting a nutrituous balanced meal at the canteen isn't so difficult. If you'd like to fine-tune your child's lunchbox too, here's some useful ideas:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/childhealth6-15/pages/lighterlunchboxes.aspx
Still stuck for ideas? Here's a whole host of recipes for healthy lunches for kids that the whoel family will enjoy:
http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/pages/lunch-recipe-book.aspx
Bullying
If your child is dreading the return to school, it could be that they've been bullied. If you suspect this, here's some advice and further links to helpful organisations:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Bullying/Pages/Bullyingadviceforparents.aspx
Despite so many children and teenagers owning their own mobile phones and computers these days, cyberbullying is a new phenomenon for many parents:http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Bullying/Pages/Cyberbullying.aspx
Young Carers
If you have young relatives who are carers, school can be both a haven from the pressures of home as well as causing extra difficulties in juggling homework:
http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/young/your-life/pages/school.aspx
Special Needs
If your child has a disability, the major event of starting school for the first time or moving up to secondary can take on extra significance:
http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/guide/kinds/pages/schooltransfers.aspx
