PARENTS across the shire are breathing a sigh of relief as the kids head back to the classrooms this week.
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When it comes to their health, there’s plenty to be mindful of when going back to school.
This includes what’s going in their lunch boxes, how heavy their back pack is and even their mental health and being mindful of what to do when it comes to bullying.
Six tips for back to school health:
1 Have a back-up breakfast plan
Create a back-up healthy breakfast for when the morning isn’t going to plan of fast, inexpensive options such as fresh fruit; low fat unflavoured yoghurt; a handful of plain, unsalted nuts and/or seeds.
2 Swap butter for margarine, avocado or hummus on sandwiches
Butter is around 50 per cent saturated fat, which is the unhealthy fat that raises our cholesterol levels and kids are currently eating more saturated fat than they should. Margarine, avocado or hummus all contain healthier fats.
3 Try something new for the school drop-off
Walking, cycling, scooting or public transport to and from school can greatly increase the amount of physical activity children achieve across the day. If home is a large distance from school, part of the way is okay too.
4 Avoid the back to school “back ache”
Parents should check the size, weight, straps and position of their child’s back pack to avoid any problems. Make sure the backpack is appropriately sized and no wider than the child's chest. Backpacks should ideally be no heavier than 10 per cent of a student’s weight when packed and both straps should be padded. The backpack shouldn't be worn any lower than the hollow of the lower back with all heavy items positioned at the base of the pack, closest to the spine.
5 Speak to your child(ren) about bullying
Encourage them to speak up if they are affected by bullying during this school year. Have the conversation on why bullying is bad and discourage any negative behaviour.
6 Get the $100 Active Kids rebate for each child
From Wednesday, the NSW government will provide a $100 voucher to parents or guardians for registration and participation costs for children’s sport and fitness activities. Find out more here.
