Kids Health Back-to-School Guide, What Parents Should Know About Germs, Sleep and Meals

Back-to-school season means kids health is back on every parent’s radar as classrooms fill up and germs spread fast. Purdue University nursing expert Erin Hoying says a few simple habits can help keep children healthy as they head back to school.

How can parents protect kids health during back-to-school season?

Consistent handwashing with soap and water is the foundation, along with teaching kids to cover coughs and sneezes and cleaning high-touch surfaces at home.

Hoying said hand sanitizer alone is not enough. “There’s actually a lot of stomach viruses that sadly are not killed by hand sanitizer,” she told Purdue University. Parents should encourage kids to wash before eating and after using the bathroom and to regularly wipe down desks, light switches and door handles at home. The CDC recommends the same habits in schools, according to its guidance on hand hygiene in classrooms and early care settings. Kids should also cough or sneeze into their elbow, use tissues instead of their hands or sleeves and clean up afterward, the CDC says.

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When should a sick child stay home from school?

Children should stay home when they have a fever, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea, Hoying recommends.

The CDC’s school guidance sets similar rules, saying students should stay home with fever, vomiting more than twice in the previous 24 hours or certain types of diarrhea, according to its illness guidance for schools. Kids should also stay home when respiratory symptoms are worsening or not improving and can’t be better explained by another cause like seasonal allergies. Kids health during the school year also means knowing when a child is too sick for class, so parents should check symptoms carefully in the morning before the first bell rings.

How does sleep support kids health during the school year?

Most school-age kids need eight to 10 hours of sleep a night, Hoying said, and some children need up to 12.

The CDC breaks it down by age. Children ages 6 to 12 should regularly get 9 to 12 hours of sleep per 24 hours and teens 13 to 18 should get 8 to 10 hours, according to CDC sleep guidance. Consistent sleep supports focus, mood and overall health during a demanding academic schedule. Parents can start shifting bedtimes earlier in the week before school begins so the transition to early mornings feels less abrupt for the whole family.

How do healthy meals support kids health during the school day?

A balanced breakfast with protein and a healthy lunch set kids up to focus and stay energized through the school day, Hoying said.

Kids health can also start with healthy meal choices before school, with Hoying emphasizing protein at breakfast as a priority. Balanced lunches during the school day help sustain energy and concentration through afternoon classes. Hoying also encourages families to build in active time after school, whether that’s a trip to the playground, a bike ride or a walk around the neighborhood.

Do kids need a physical or updated vaccines before school starts?

Yes. Annual physicals and up-to-date vaccinations are an important part of children’s health as they start the school year, Hoying said.

Scheduling a yearly checkup gives pediatricians a chance to flag concerns early and confirm growth, vision and hearing are on track, according to HealthyChildren.org. Parents should also check with their child’s school before the appointment to find out which health forms or immunization records the district requires. Bringing that paperwork to the visit means fewer follow-up calls later. Keeping vaccinations current is one of the simplest ways to support kids health and protect classmates from preventable illness once the school year is in full swing.