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A Healthy Start to School

Starting kindergarten is an exciting time. Check if your child is ready for school:

Can your child dress, eat and go to the bathroom without help?

Can your child be away from you for a few hours?

Can your child use crayons, scissors or look at books?

Has your child had an eye examination?

Has your child received the immunizations needed to attend school?

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How to help your child do well at schoolChildren learn best when:• They have a routine at home. When children know what activity comes

next they feel safer and less worried.

• They have enough sleep, healthy foods, and physical activity.

• They feel safe in their school.

• Their parents are involved in their learning and their school.

All parents have questions about parenting and their child’s school.

There are many people in the school who can help. Speak with the teachers, principals, guidance counsellors, social workers, and public health nurses. For newcomers to Canada, in certain schools there are settlement workers to help as well.

ContentsParenting programs ................................ 3Healthy food, healthy learner ................. 3 Clean hands .......................................... 3Speech and language ............................. 4I see, I learn ......................................... 4Healthy teeth ....................................... 4Get immunized ...................................... 4Sleep and kids ....................................... 5Be active .............................................. 5Dressing for the weather ........................ 5

Safety at the playground ....................... 5Right helmet for each sport .................... 6Booster seats ....................................... 6Kids and traffic ..................................... 6Dangers of second-hand smoke ............... 6Talking about sensitive topics ................. 7Children and stress ................................ 7Head lice .............................................. 7Get involved in your child’s school ............ 8

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How to help your child to have a healthy start to school

Parenting programsHave you ever wondered why kids act the way they do or how you can discipline your child without spanking?

Do you want to learn more about parenting skills such as setting limits, problem-solving and using praise?

Toronto Public Health offers free parenting programs that talk about these and other parenting issues.

Healthy food, healthy learnerChildren need healthy food to give them energy so they can learn better in school.

•Giveenoughtimefor your child to eat a healthy breakfast every morning.

•Askifyourchild’sschool has a breakfast, snack or lunch program.

• Provideavarietyof foods from the Canada’s Food Guideevery day (the four

foodgroupsare:Vegetables&Fruits,GrainProducts, Milk & Alternatives, and Meat & Alternatives).

•Chooseavarietyofsnackseverydayfromone to three of the four food groups. Most children need snacks for energy between meals.

•Healthylunchesshouldincludefoodsfromthree to four of the four food groups.

Clean handsOur hands often carry and spread germs. Washing our hands is the best way to prevent many illnesses and diseases such as cold and flu.

Be a good role model and make sure everyone washes their hands for at least 15 seconds with soap and water:

•Afterusingthewashroom.

•Aftersneezing,coughing,blowing their nose.

•Beforeeatingfoods.

•Beforetouchingacutoropen sore.

•Aftertouchinggarbage.

•Whentheirhandsarevisibly dirty.

•Afterplayingwithanimals.

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Speech and language The ability to communicate is essential for your child’s success at school, so they can learn and

interact with other children.

Does your child:

•Talkinwholesentences using adult-like grammar?

•Tellastorythatiseasy to follow?

•Askmanyquestions?

•Answerwho, how, how many

questions?

•Startaconversationandcontinueit,stayingon the same topic?

•Uselanguagetocreatepretendsituationswhen playing with others?

•Dopeopleoutsidethefamilyunderstandwhat your child says? (Children do not say all sounds clearly at this age.)

If you answered “no” to any of these questions or if you have other concerns about your child’s communication skills, speak to your doctor or call Toronto Public Health.

I see, I learnResearch shows that 80 percent of what children know is learned through their

eyes. Children should have a complete eye examination by an optometrist before age three and then every year afterwards.

Most schools do not have a vision screening program, but OHIP will cover an eye examinationby an optometrist every year for children under 19 years old.

Healthy teethHealthy teeth are important for learning and making friends.

• Makesureyourchildbrushes their teeth properly after meals or at least once a day before bedtime.

•Giveyourchildhealthy snacks such as milk, fresh fruits and vegetables.

•VisitthedentistregularlyorcallTorontoPublic Health if you cannot afford to pay for dental care.

Get immunizedCertain immunizations are required for children to go to school.

•Takeyourchildtoadoctortogettheneededimmunization(s) before starting school.

•Bringyourchild’simmunizationrecordtotheschool when registering.

•Reportyourchild’sup-to-dateimmunizationinformation to Toronto Public Health as your doctor will not.

If your child is missing any immunizations, Toronto Public Health will send you a letter telling you which vaccines he/she needs. If your child cannot be immunized due to medical, religious or personal reasons, call the Immunization Information Line at 416-392-1250.

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Sleep and kidsChildren need sleep to keep them healthy, happy and doing their best. Children between 5 to 12 years old require 10-11 hours of sleep each night.

• Haveabedtimeroutine–dothesamerelaxing things every night e.g. read books together, give your child a bath.

•Trytoputyourchild to bed at the same time every night.

•Makesurethebedroom is cool, dark and quiet.

•Getyourchildtoexercise in the daytime, at least three hours before bedtime.

•Avoidgivingyourchilddrinkswithcaffeinein the afternoon or evening.

Be activeIt is important for children to be active for at least 60 minutes every day. Children need to be physically active by running, jumping, throwing, catching and kicking to make them physically stronger and to learn motor skills.

Regular physical activity strengthens bones, builds muscle, works the heart and contributes to a healthy body weight and lifestyle. Physical activity also helps children to express themselves, to learn social skills, deal with stress, and do better in school.

Reduce “non-active” time spent on computers or watching TV. Encourage everyone in the familytobecomephysicallyactive–activeparents will usually have active children.

Dressing for the weatherTo reduce the risk of getting skin cancer and to prevent sunstroke or heat exhaustion in the summer:

•Reducethetimeinthesunbetween 11 am to 4 pm.

•Lookforshadedareasforoutdoor activities.

•Coverasmuchskinaspossible with clothing.

•Provideahatwithawidebrim or a flap to cover the back of the neck. Be sure to remind your child to wear it.

•UsesunscreenwithSPF15orhigherwithUVAandUVBprotectionandreapplyasdirected by the manufacturer.

In the winter, dress your child with layers of clothing and warm boots with deep treads to prevent falls. Make sure your child’s head, neck, ears and hands are covered to prevent frostbite.

To protect the eyes all year round from sun damage, wear sunglasses that provide 100% UVAandUVBprotection.

Safety at the playground Children 5 to 9 years old are injured more frequently in a playground than at any other age. Here are things you can do to help your child to have fun without getting hurt:

•Removehelmet,drawstring,cord or anything else from your child’s clothing that canget tangled on playground equipment.

•Alwaystieupshoelacesand remove or tuck in scarves.

•Walkaroundtheplaygroundandlookforthings or equipment that can be dangerous.

•Stayclosetoyourchildandwatchthemcarefully.

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Right helmet for each sportHead injuries are the number one cause of serious injury and death to children using equipment with wheels.

Different sports need different helmets (e.g. biking, skateboarding, in-line skating).

Make sure that your child is wearing the helmet the right way every time.

•Leaveaspacethewidthof two fingers between the bottom of the helmet and your child’s eyebrows.

•Fixthesidestrapssotheyfitaroundyourchild’s ears in a V-shape.

•Tightenthechinstrapuntilyoucanfitjustone finger between the strap and your child’s chin.

For in-line skates, skateboards and scooters, children should use other protective gear for their wrists, elbows and knees.

Booster seatsCar crashes are a leading cause of injury-related deaths for children in Canada. A booster seat is mandatory for children if:

•Theyareunder8yearsofage,or

• Theyarebetween18kg–36kg(between40–80lbs.),or

•Theystandlessthan145cm(4’9”) tall.

Here are a few things you should know when using a booster seats:

•Aboosterseatisneededtoposition the seat belt properlyover your child’s body.

•Thelapbeltshouldbepositioned low across the hips.

•Theshoulderbeltshouldlieacrossthechestand not across the neck.

•Forchildren12yearsoldandunder,thesafest place to travel is in the back seat.

Kids and traffic Children under the age of 10 should be with an adult or someone older when crossing the street. To keep your child safe it is important that you are a good role model.

Here are some safety tips when crossing the road:

•Wearlightcolouredclothing.

•Onlycrossatcross-walks or corners withtraffic lights or stop signs.

•Obeycrossingsignals.

•Don’twearheadphonesorusecellphones.

•Stop,lookandlistenfortraffic.

•Makeeyecontactwithdrivers.

•Crossonlyiftheroadisclearortraffichasstopped.

Dangers of second-hand smokeChildren’s lungs are small and growing; they breathe faster and inhale more second-hand smoke than adults do. Second-hand smoke can lead to asthma, allergies, ear infections and cancer.

The law in Ontario bans smoking in cars with children under 16 years of age.

• Second-handsmokingisevenmoredangerous inside the small air space of a car.

• Openingthewindowisnotenough–thesmoke is blown around to the back seat where children sit.

It is also important to make your home smoke-free.

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•Ifyouhavetosmoke,smokeoutside.Askfamily members for support.

•Leteveryonecomingtoyourhomeknow that you do not want smoking in your home or around your child.

Talking about sensitive topicsChildren may be curious or even confused about changes to their bodies and feelings as they grow and may have many questions. Answering your child’s questions will allow you to share your cultural and family values.

•Wheneveryourchildasksa question, it requires an answer, even if it is not right away.

•Itisfinetotellyourchildyou do not know the answer. Tell your child you will find the answer or look it up together.

•Children’sbooksareagreat way to help explain things that you may not know how to answer on your own.

•Teachyourchildthecorrectnamesofallbody parts.

•Talktoyourchildaboutgoodtouchandbad touch. Encourage your child to tell you if someone’s touch makes them feel uncomfortable.

Children and stressJust like adults, children can feel anxious or stressed about new situations, meeting new people or having too many things to worry about.

Stress in your child may show up in many ways including:

•Headachesortummyaches.

•Troublesleeping.

•Eatingmoreorless.

•Notwantingtogo to school.

•Becomingmorequiet.

• Lookingsadorworried.

You can help your child if they feel stressed by:

•Gettingyourchildfamiliar with the school and school grounds before starting school.

•Spendingtimeanddoingthings together.

•Payingfullattentionwhen your child talks.

•Showingyourchildthatyou love him/her.

•Givingyourchildtimeto relax from a busy schedule.

• Watchingyourchildplay and helping him/ her to get along with other children.

Head liceHead lice are tiny insects that can live and breed on your child’s head. They are greyish-brown in colour and their eggs are white. The oval-shaped eggs (nits) stick firmly to hair near the scalp, unlike dandruff which can be blown off.

Having head lice is very common. To help prevent your child from getting head lice you can:

•Discouragehead-to-headcontactandsharingof hats, scarves, hairbrushes and combs.

•Tielonghairbackinbraids.

You cannot prevent head lice by using head liceshampoosorproducts.Usethemonlyifyour child has head lice. Be sure to read the directions carefully; using the treatments incorrectly or too often can be harmful.

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Get involved in your child’s school•Walkyourchildtoschoolandgetto

know other parents and children.

•Talktoyourchild’steacheraboutyourchild’s strengths and what he/she needs help with.

• Volunteertodosmallactivities(e.g.reading with students or attending school council meetings) or larger activities at your school (e.g. helping with school trips or fundraising).

•Taketimetolistentoyourchildaboutwhat they did at school, ask questions, and encourage them (e.g. “I’m proud of how hard you tried”).

•Maketimetotalkabouthomeworkandprovide help if needed.

Toronto Public Health provides free confidential services to eligible families

•Breastfeedingsupport

•Dentalcare

•Immunization

•Injuriesandfallsprevention

•Newbornhearingscreening

•Nutritionprograms

•Parentingsupport

•Physicalactivitypromotion

•Postpartumdepression

•PreschoolSpeechandLanguage

•Prenatalandpostnatalcare

•Smokingcessation