10 Answers Parents Look for When Choosing a School

The school bell will ring very soon. Especially children starting primary school and their parents are already filled with sweet excitement. Parents have also begun researching what they should do to face potential problems so their children have a healthy school term.

How can I strengthen the immune system? What should I do if my child comes home tired from school? How can I help if my child gets stressed while studying? Can I prevent frequent infections? These questions are just some of the topics parents are most curious about. Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz, Specialist in Child Health and Diseases at Acibadem Maslak Hospital,  points out that vaccines are one of the most important ways to protect primary school-age children from disease, stating: "Unvaccinated children carry a higher infection risk compared to other children at school. Completing missing vaccines especially before school, during primary school and during adolescence helps protect both your child's and other students' health. Therefore, make sure your child's vaccines appropriate for their age are fully up to date."   Also noting the importance of instilling awareness in your child about hand hygiene, Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz  answered the questions parents are most curious about; providing important recommendations and warnings!

What are the most important vaccines during the school period? 

To ensure your child has a healthy school term, you should make sure your child is fully vaccinated against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz warns that these diseases spread easily in school settings and spread rapidly especially among unvaccinated children, stating: "Vaccines are one of the most important health interventions that strengthen children's immune systems to protect them against infectious diseases, prevent deaths and disabilities related to diseases, and also contribute to reducing antibiotic resistance. Therefore, children should have regular health checks during their school years and missing vaccines should be completed."

How can I keep the immune system strong?
 

Keeping your child's immune system strong is key to preventing frequent illness at school.   Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz points out that balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and sufficient sleep are fundamental factors that support the immune system, stating: "During your child's school years, having varied and balanced nutrition is of critical importance for mental and physical development. Ensure your child consumes 5 portions of colorful and varied vegetables and fruits daily, along with legumes, nuts, meat and eggs, and use spices. Additionally, you can protect your child's development by avoiding fried, excessively sugary and processed foods.

Consuming fish twice a week and olive oil consumption provides beneficial fatty acids that contribute to brain and eye development. During winter months, it may be helpful to regularly use age-appropriate vitamin D supplements and, if necessary, B12 vitamins and iron supplements, but you should definitely give these only on doctor's advice," he says.

How can I establish a sleep routine?

Sufficient sleep is very important as it directly affects children's learning capacity, attention span and overall health. However, the school period can affect a child's sleep routine. Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz notes that the recommended sleep duration for children aged 6-12 years is 9-11 hours, stating: "When your child starts school, establish a sleep routine that will help them go to bed and wake up early. Cutting off screen exposure at least one hour before bedtime in the evening, establishing household routines, and doing calming activities that contribute to family communication can be helpful for quality sleep. We also do not recommend having tablets, televisions or phones in your child's bedroom," he says.

What should I do if my child gets tired at school?

If your child experiences constant fatigue on school days, it may mean they are not sleeping enough, not drinking enough fluids, not eating properly, or experiencing stress related to school. Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz summarizes what you should do in the face of constant fatigue as follows: "As a first step, make sure your child is getting enough sleep at night. Review their nutrition routine to ensure they are getting adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Fatigue can also be a sign of health problems such as iron deficiency anemia. For this reason, a doctor's examination, evaluation of growth and blood tests may be needed in necessary cases. Additionally, it is very important that you support your child to reduce school-related stress, and allocate time for rest and free play after school."

What should I do if my child experiences stress while studying?

Experiencing a certain level of stress while studying is normal. However, if this stress becomes constant, it can negatively affect your child's academic and emotional health.   Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz explains the measures you should take to help your child cope with stress as follows: "Recommend your child take breaks while studying, make the study environment quiet and comfortable. If necessary, encourage them to study by dividing their lessons into smaller chunks. If stress levels are high, communicate openly with them to try to understand the causes of stress. If you notice persistent anxiety, unhappiness or behavioral changes in your child, seek support from a guidance counselor or child psychologist. Additionally, you can help your child find success and happiness in non-academic areas by directing them to extracurricular activities and sports."

How can I prevent frequent infections?

Your child frequently having infections during the school period may be normal for their age, but experiencing serious infections such as pneumonia requiring hospitalization and meningitis, growth slowing or falling behind, and illnesses lasting long without full recovery can be signs of a weak immune system. To strengthen your child's immune system, pay attention to varied and balanced nutrition; particularly focus on foods rich in vitamin C, zinc and iron, such as garlic, nuts, honey and fish consumption. Regular exercise or sports and sufficient sleep also support the immune system. Pointing out that hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent infections, Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz states: "If your child frequently has infections and this continues for a long time, consult a pediatrician to evaluate whether there is an underlying immune system problem. If necessary, blood tests can be requested and supplements can be given."

What should I do if my child complains of headaches or stomach pain?

Headaches in children can result from fatigue, dehydration, stress or eye strain. For your child who frequently experiences headaches at school, you can speak with their teachers and ensure they sit in a comfortable position during class and receive adequate lighting. Water consumption is also vital for children's overall health.   Children who do not drink enough water at school can experience problems such as headaches, loss of concentration and fatigue. It is very important to send them with a water bottle each day and remind them to drink water regularly. Ensure they drink water until their urine is light-colored. Also review their screen time. If headaches persist, you should consult their doctor to determine whether there is an underlying health problem.   Nausea can also result from causes such as stress, inadequate nutrition, dehydration or viral infection. If your child experiences nausea at school, take them home immediately and ensure they rest. Encourage them to consume plenty of fluids and be careful with light foods. If nausea becomes constant or is accompanied by other complaints, you need to consult a doctor.

What should I do if weight gain stops?

During the school period, as children's activities increase, their energy needs also increase. If they do not eat adequately and balanced and frequently have infections, weight gain can stop. Initially, it is important to evaluate the nutrition routine, have the child's height and weight regularly monitored by a physician, and properly evaluate the growth curve. If weight gain has stopped, you should consult a pediatrician to have the situation examined in detail.

How can I protect dental health?

Dental health is of critical importance for children's overall health. Instilling the habit of regular tooth brushing during the school period is very important for preventing cavities and other oral health problems. Dr. Serap Sapmaz Deniz emphasizes that regular dental check-ups for your child every 6-12 months are extremely important, stating: "Also teach your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day, after breakfast in the morning and before bed in the evening with fluoride toothpaste. Using dental floss will also help prevent plaque formation. During the school period, avoiding sugary foods and drinks as much as possible will also help protect tooth enamel.

What can I do about eye strain?              

Looking at screens for long periods can cause eye strain. Therefore, do not neglect regular eye examinations for your child. During reading and writing, you can provide appropriate lighting and ergonomic conditions to ensure your child's eyes do not become overly tired. Additionally, applying the 20-20-20 rule, that is, every 20 minutes, looking at a point 20 feet—approximately 6 meters—away for 20 seconds can relieve eye strain. Since eye health is as important as physical health, you should also ensure your child spends time outdoors every day.