How to Keep Your Child Healthy this School Year

Category: News, Community Connection, Videos, Educational, Primary Care, Information
Posted On: Sep 30, 2025

The back-to-school season is filled with excitement, with new classrooms, new friends, and new routines, but it also brings the reality of increased exposure to germs! Back-to-school sickness is a common concern for parents, especially as cold and flu season approaches.

Amy Hobson, APRN-CNP, a family nurse practitioner with Norman Regional Health System, shares practical tips for how to prevent your child from getting sick at school and keep the whole family healthy.

Why Kids Get Sick More Often at School

When children return to the classroom, they’re suddenly surrounded by dozens of other kids. Coughs, sneezes, and lots of shared surfaces mean germs spread quickly. That’s why it’s common for families to see more illnesses during the first few weeks of school.

Since germs can’t be avoided completely, prevention and healthy habits are the key to reducing sick days.

Build Strong Immunity at Home

A strong immune system is a child’s best defense against classroom germs. Hobson encourages families to focus on three key areas:

Nutrition: Prioritize whole foods, including fruits and vegetables, while limiting sugar and processed snacks.
Sleep: Children need 9 to 12 hours of rest each night. Turning off screens before bed and winding down with a book can help improve sleep quality.
Immunizations: Staying up-to-date on vaccines is critical. A flu shot is especially important for children with asthma, diabetes, or other conditions that increase the risk of complications.

Teach Everyday Hygiene Habits

Simple hygiene habits go a long way in reducing the spread of illness. Handwashing before meals, after using the restroom, and when coming home from school should become routine.

“As a parent, just talk with your kids about hygiene,” Hobson said. “If you are around someone coughing and sneezing, make sure you wash your hands. If you need to cough or sneeze, it's best to cough into your elbow and not into your hands because then you're going to spread the germs.”

Good hygiene habits should include:

Washing hands before eating and after using the bathroom
Washing hands when returning home from school or activities
Keeping hands away from the face

Don’t Skip Wellness Visits

Annual Wellness Checks are essential, yet easy to overlook during the busy school year.

“Wellness Checks are important because it's a time when we can go over growth and development and make sure they are on track developmentally and make sure their health is excellent,” Hobson said.

She recommends scheduling these visits once a year: “For my family, I typically schedule them around their birthdays, so we know once a year this is when we come in.”

These visits also give providers a chance to answer questions, check for any delays that might affect learning, and talk about prevention.

When to Keep Your Child Home Sick

It can be tough to decide when a cough or runny nose means your child should stay home. Generally, mild symptoms like a low-grade fever, scratchy throat or fatigue can be managed with rest, fluids, and good nutrition. Most kids start feeling better within a week.

However, a high fever, worsening symptoms by day three, or illnesses like strep throat or the flu are signs that it’s time to see a provider.

Parents Need Care Too

Back-to-school isn’t just overwhelming for kids — parents feel the strain too. Hobson reminds families that parents need to model healthy habits by eating well, exercising, and prioritizing rest. Managing your own health ensures you have the energy to care for your children.

“You cannot give from an empty cup,” said Hobson. “So let's fill you back up with rest and good nutrition. Make sure you're healthy. If you have any questions or concerns over your health, get in quickly so we can take care of you.”

Here’s to a Healthy School Year!

Back-to-school season doesn’t have to mean weeks of sniffles and missed class time. With healthy habits, preventive care, and timely visits, your family can have a safe and successful school year.

Norman Regional Primary Care is here to support your child’s health every step of the way! For wellness checks or sick visits, please call 405-515-5000 or schedule an appointment online to set your family up for a healthy school year.