Posts Tagged ‘back-to-school’

As a parent, I’ve always loved September. Meeting the new teacher. Dropping off one of my kids at a new school. The simple joy of new school supplies. In medicine, our “school year” is from July 1 through June 30. Each and every day there are patients who need care, and our students learn medicine by helping provide that care. There are no medical school “back-to-school” sales. But as a teacher, September never fails to … Read More

How many vehicles pull up to the drop-off with a kindergartner or first-grader sitting in the front seat with only a seat belt? It’s time we do something. Oregon law requires all children younger than 8 sit in a booster seat unless the seat belt fits correctly. That means by law, every single kindergartner and first-grader, and most second-graders, should be using a booster seat. Is this what you see at the drop-off? As you will … Read More

During the month of August, I frequently see teenagers in the OHSU Doernbecher Pediatric Sleep Disorders Clinic who are sleeping routinely until noon or later. Their parents are understandably concerned about school soon starting, wondering how their child will suddenly start waking up substantially earlier come early September. Research has shown that teenagers are biologically prone to be “night owls,” and this tendency rears its head during the summer. The main reason this occurs is … Read More

A: Young children often like things packaged or displayed in a cute way. Make lunchtime visually appealing: Include apple slices or pieces of watermelon and pineapple in small containers, or cut up carrots and celery and add some honey mustard dip as a way to introduce kids to vegetables. Sandwiches fit little hands; slice them into fun shapes. Low-fat string cheese is fun to eat and a good source of calcium. You can even try … Read More

A: While books and backpacks are an inevitable part of school days, carrying one shouldn’t hurt. A backpack should weigh no more than 10 percent to 20 percent of your child’s weight. For example, if your child weighs 50 pounds, the backpack should weigh no more than 10 pounds. The backpack’s straps should be wide enough so they don’t cut into your child’s shoulders, and the straps should be worn on both shoulders. The backpack should also … Read More