Get Ready for Back to School! Tips from Pediatricians

Embrace the Transition

Going from laid-back summer days to the rigid routine of school can be a challenging transition. Below are some resources our experts created to help smooth out the back-to-school bumps so you and your child can fully embrace the excitement that comes with a new start!

General Advice

• Back to School with Food Allergies
• Back to School, Back to Bedtime: Why Sleep Schedules Matter
• Tackling Irrational Fears in Children and Teens
• How to Avoid Raising a Bully
• School and Test Stress: Helping Kids Cope
• Handling Transitions
• Understanding the IEP Process
• How to Prevent Eye Strain From Screen Time
• Tips for Keeping Kids with ADHD Organized

Advice for Young Children

• Shyness in Kids
• Separation Anxiety: What’s Normal and When to Worry

Advice for Teens

• Promoting a Healthy Body Image
• Preventing Cyberbullying
• Avoiding Sports Injuries
• What You Should Know About Social Media

Be a Flu Fighter!

One simple step you can take to stay healthy this school year is to make sure everyone in your family over 6 months old gets their flu shot. CHOP Primary Care patients can schedule a flu shot with their Primary Care office. Many commercial pharmacies also offer easy, convenient flu shot appointments, as do local departments of health (for example, the City of Philadelphia offers walk-in flu shots at many health centers, and a flu clinic finder). Talk to your child’s pediatrician about options for getting the flu vaccine.

Schedule Physicals and Immunizations

To help fully protect your child against routine childhood illnesses, make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Schedule a well visit and back-to-school physical early so you’re in good shape when the school year hits.

Get Ahead of Health Forms

Whether your child is entering daycare or school, or wants to participate in organized recreational activities, you may be asked to fill out a health form detailing your child’s medical history.

Health forms are typically completed at the time of your child's physical exam. Please remember to bring the forms to your child’s visit. Here are some examples of Health Forms you may be asked for.

If You Need It: Use Our New Urgent Care Feature

With the return to school comes more exposure to germs. If your child’s pediatrician is not available and your child needs care urgently, our new online pre-arrival check-in tool allows you to start the check-in process for Urgent Care visits before you arrive, and it saves your spot in line!

Visit our Urgent Care web page, select the nearest Urgent Care Center, and click the button that says, “Save My Spot.” This starts the pre-arrival check-in process, saves your place in line and lets us know you're on your way.