5 Important Questions About to Back-to-School Answered By Experts

On top of buying the right notebooks and packing the correct pencils, we all want to make sure our kids are physically and emotionally prepared for a happy and healthy school year. But never did I consider back-to-school concerns like the impact of AI on my kids’ learning, asthma safety, or recovery from common sports injuries.

Luckily, the experts at Connecticut Children’s have, and they’re sharing all their timely tips in their free 2024 Back to School Toolkit. As always, the comprehensive kit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate advice from leading pediatric specialists who are 100% dedicated to kids’ mental health, sports performance, health and safety, and social justice issues.

Here are five questions to ask this back-to-school season, plus answers and advice from the pros:

Back to School Health and Safety Questions and Answers

What should I do if my child or teen is upset about returning to school?

From social anxiety to experience with bullying, there are so many reasons why kids get anxious about returning to school. Acknowledging your child’s difficult feelings is a really important first step, but there are a number of ways to support this big transition. Getting a head start on establishing school-year habits and, maybe most importantly, addressing your own nerves are just some of the steps that’ll take you in the right direction.

How to model calm and other ways to ease the school transition >

How do I teach my kids bike, bus, and road safety rules?

From the school bus stop to the car drop-off line, road safety is such an important topic for school-aged kids. Start the year off by brushing up on rules and guidance: Show your children a safe spot away from the curb to wait for the bus, remind them not to walk between cars in the school parking lot, and if they plan to bike to class, plot out the safest route and practice it a few times. The experts at Connecticut Childrens’ Injury Prevention Center have tons of tips specific to families’ different schedules and routines.

More ways parents can help keep kids safe on the road >

Will AI impact my teenager’s education–or mental health?

AI has become a part of many teens’ everyday lives–whether they use virtual assistants like “Alexa” and “Siri” or look at “recommended” content on social media platforms. AI can do some incredible and innovative things, like personalizing an educational program to cater to a kid’s specific needs or providing a teen with meaningful health insight through a wearable fitness tracker. But, it also raises important questions about the potential negative impact of this technology on developing minds and makes the need for open dialogue with parents that much more important.

Read up on the pros and cons of AI >

How do I talk to my children about diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Talking to kids and teens about difficult topics like racism and privilege can be intimidating or even uncomfortable, but it’s so critical. Educate yourself or brush up on important DEI topics like stereotypes, gender bias, and ableism with help from the Division Head of Pediatric Psychology and Associate Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Connecticut Children’s–who also offers meaningful steps for initiating these tough conversations.

7 DEI conversation topics to cover with kids and teens >

Does my child need a back-to-school exam or physical?

Annual check-ups are an important part of keeping kids as healthy as possible throughout the school year and beyond. They’re an opportunity to check on growth and development, stay up to date on vaccines, screen for hearing and vision issues, and address any possible health concerns or questions. If your child hasn’t had a physical in the last year, reach out to your pediatrician or a specialist in your area about scheduling a visit.

See the typical well-visit and vaccine schedule by age >

Schedule an appointment

Whether your child’s in need of an annual physical or you have a question or concern, you can schedule a virtual video visit with an expert at Connecticut Children’s or book an in-person appointment at the location closest to home. And for helpful health advice throughout your parenting journey, sign-up for Connecticut Childrens’ newsletter.

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to kids. That means high-quality care across more than 30 pediatric specialties in 40+ locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. One team on a mission to improve access to healthcare from before birth and into adulthood. One team pushing the limits with breakthrough research and community partnerships so we can help you focus on what matters most: your family’s wellness journey. When you choose Connecticut Children’s, you can expect care Beyond Imagination.

The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.