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As summer ends and back-to-school season begins, it’s important to prepare not just school supplies, but your child’s overall health. From preschool to high school through college, a healthy student is a successful student – physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Here's your comprehensive guide to back-to-school health, covering well-child checks, developmental milestones, vaccines, mental health, and more.

Preventative Care – The Foundation of Health

As the school year approaches, your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider (PCP) is the best place to start. Pediatricians specialize in children and teens, while PCPs who specialize in family medicine care for all ages. Both can provide healthcare for children. These providers know your child’s history, offer checkups, immunizations, and support for physical, emotional, and developmental needs, ensuring your child is ready for a healthy start to the year.

MacKenzie Delaney, FNP at the Henry County Health Center - Mount Pleasant Clinic, explains how your child’s PCP can serve as a valuable resource to know what they need to stay healthy and well for school.

“Establishing care with a primary care provider is essential,” explained MacKenzie. “Seeing the same provider over time allows the provider to understand a child’s unique medical history, development, and personality – making it easier to detect changes. It also builds trust and comfort, which encourages kids to open up, especially during the teen years when emotional and mental health become more complex.”

Well-Child Checks: Supporting Lifelong Health

Well-child visits are annual checkups with a pediatrician or PCP that monitor your child’s growth, development, and overall health. These visits are especially important before the school year begins, as they ensure children are physically, emotionally, and developmentally prepared for learning and social engagement.

Dr. Bryan Blacker, Pediatrician at Family Medicine, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center–Fort Madison, encourages parents to prioritize these visits.

“Well-child checks occur throughout a child’s life. Babies are seen frequently, and as children grow older, the well-child visits are spaced out to once a year,” he explained. Dr. Blacker noted that while most children are healthy and progressing well, there are times when developmental milestones aren’t being met as expected. At appointments, parents often mention concerns without realizing they might point to a larger issue, and parents may not realize that support is available.

“Well-child or back-to-school physicals help us monitor a child’s overall health and development. They allow us to catch physical, emotional, or developmental concerns early, before they affect learning, behavior, or social development. Catching concerns early leads to timely support and better long-term outcomes,” explained MacKenzie. “These visits also ensure vaccinations and screenings for vision and hearing are up to date, and they are ready to participate in school activities. Overall, they help build trust between the child and provider, supporting long-term wellness.”

What To Expect During a Well-Child Visit

During a well-child exam, healthcare providers are checking the following:

• Growth assessments – Height, weight, and BMI to track healthy development.

• Developmental screening – Evaluation of milestones, behavior, and social-emotional health.

• Head-to-toe physical exam – Checking general health and any physical concerns.

• Vision and hearing screenings – Identifying issues that could impact learning or development.

• Immunization review – Ensuring the child is up to date per CDC and school guidelines. Check with your child’s PCP clinic to determine if immunizations are available. County Public Health Departments also offer this service.

• Well-Child, school and sports physicals – For well-child exams, school or sports physicals, contact your insurance provider to verify coverage. In addition, when scheduling the appointment, let the clinic know if it is a well-child exam or sports physical so you can determine any required forms, documentation, or information needed for the appointment.

• Discussion of puberty, safety, and peer relationships – Especially important during adolescence.

• Emotional and behavioral check-ins – Monitoring mood, stress, and mental health.

• Time for questions – Parents and caregivers are encouraged to ask about any concerns, no matter how small. Well-child visits empower families with knowledge and support.

How to Make the Most of a Well-Child Visit

• Jot down any questions or concerns ahead of time. It’s easy to forget in the moment, and no concern is too small. These visits cover a lot, so having a list helps ensure everything important gets addressed.

• Bring records from any previous providers if the child is new to the health system.

• Bring any forms that the school needs. It is easiest to fill these school and physical forms out during the visit.

• Involve your child in the visit and offer one-on-one time with the provider. This gives them a safe space to share concerns privately and helps build trust for ongoing support.

Developmental Milestones: What to Watch For

Monitoring growth milestones and mental health is a crucial part of every well-child visit. These check-ins help ensure a child is developing at a healthy pace. By tracking milestones like walking, talking, learning, and social interaction, providers can identify early signs of developmental delays or challenges. Early recognition gives families access to resources like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or educational support before problems become harder to address.

“Emotional well-being plays a huge role in how children function at home, at school, and in relationships. Well-child visits provide a safe, trusted environment to talk about mood, behavior, anxiety, sleep, school stress, and more. These conversations become especially important as children enter their teen years, when mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or self-esteem concerns may start to surface,” said MacKenzie.

In early childhood, care focuses on growth, development, vaccinations, and screenings, as well as guidance on nutrition, sleep, behavior, safety, and learning. As children age, providers monitor puberty, growth, academics, behavior, social-emotional health, nutrition, exercise, and sleep. For teens, attention shifts to puberty progression, mental and sexual health, substance use, relationships, emotional well-being, academics, life skills, and future planning.

Here’s a brief snapshot of milestones by age group:

• Preschool (Ages 3–5)

• • Milestones: Basic motor skills, early literacy, following instructions, social play.
    
  • Watch for: Speech delays, trouble with coordination, difficulty engaging with peers.
    
• Elementary (Ages 6–11)

• • Milestones: Reading fluency, improved fine motor skills, emotional self-regulation.

• • Watch for: Learning difficulties, attention issues, behavioral changes.

• Middle School (Ages 12–14)

• • Milestones: Abstract thinking, stronger peer influence, self-identity formation.

• • Watch for: Social withdrawal, academic struggles, signs of anxiety or depression.

• High School (Ages 15–18)

• • Milestones: Independence, career planning, complex problem-solving.

• • Watch for: Risk-taking behavior, substance use, sleep disturbances, intense mood swings.

• College (Ages 18–24)

• • Developmental milestones focus more on emotional, cognitive, and social development than physical growth. Key milestones include emotional, psychological, cognitive, social development, academic and vocational growth, health, and lifestyle habits.

• • As your child prepares to leave for college, ensure that all immunizations are up to date, necessary boosters have been administered, and age-appropriate vaccines—such as the meningococcal vaccines—have been received.

If you're unsure about your child’s development, your healthcare provider can offer screening tools or referrals to specialists.

Vaccinations: Staying Up to Date

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools in preventing disease and promoting public health.

“Immunizations are extremely important for a child’s health. I often describe them like seatbelts– they’re not fun to wear sometimes, but they save lives,” said Dr. Blacker. “Part of my job is to read the studies, look at the data, understand what the risks and benefits are of these vaccines, and then communicate that so you can make informed educated decisions about what’s best for your child, what will help keep them healthiest in the future.”

Required immunizations vary by state. View the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Talk to your child’s provider about which vaccines are due and why they're important—not just for school entry but for lifelong health. This includes important vaccines for young adults heading off to college.

Other Important Considerations

Be aware of the following items that also can impact your children’s health and potential success in school:

• Sleep Hygiene: Resetting the Clock

Kids need more sleep than we realize. Lack of rest can affect learning, mood, and immune function. Sleep is essential for focus, memory, and emotional regulation. Yet, many children don't get the recommended amount of rest:

Ages 6–12: 9–12 hours per night

Teens (13–18): 8–10 hours per night

Back-to-school season is a great time to reset bedtime routines:

• Begin adjusting bedtimes a week or two before school starts.

• Create a wind-down routine: dim lights, read books, avoid screens.

• Keep sleep and wake times consistent, even on weekends.

• Ensure bedrooms are cool, dark, and quiet.

Remember that good sleep hygiene supports academic performance and mental health.

• Nutrition: Fuel for Learning

A balanced diet fuels focus, energy, and growth. Prioritize meals and healthy snacks, especially a good breakfast. As school routines resume, focus on providing:

• Balanced meals with lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

• Healthy snacks like yogurt, nuts, fruits, or cheese.

• Limited sugar to avoid energy crashes.

• Adequate hydration, especially water throughout the day.

For picky eaters, try introducing new foods alongside familiar ones and involve kids in meal planning or lunch prep to encourage better choices. Click here for tips on “How to pack an A+ school lunch.”

• Mental Health

Mental health is just as vital as physical health, and the school year can bring a mix of excitement and stress. School can be overwhelming. Watch for changes in mood, appetite, sleep, or behavior, as these can be early signs of stress or anxiety.

Be on the lookout for:

• Sudden mood changes or irritability.

• Withdrawal from friends or activities.

• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.

• Persistent worries or fears.

• Drop in academic performance.

Encourage open communication and normalize talking about emotions. If concerns persist, consider consulting a school counselor or mental health professional. Early intervention can make a big difference.

• Daily Movement and Activity

Encourage movement daily, even outside of organized sports. This helps with attention, stress, and overall health.

• Handwashing: A Simple Yet Powerful Habit

Teach good hand washing habits and keep your kids at home when they are sick to protect others. Hand hygiene remains a front-line defense against common illnesses like colds, flu, and stomach bugs. Reinforce the importance of:

• Washing hands before meals, and after using the bathroom or playing outside.

• Using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. To help teach younger kids, sing a short song (like the ABCs) while washing hands to ensure they’re doing it thoroughly.

• Hand sanitizer as a backup when soap isn't available.

• Vision and Hearing
  
  Undiagnosed vision and hearing issues can make learning harder. Take your child to the eye doctor yearly and make an appointment with their PCP if they are complaining of hearing difficulties so they can be referred to the appropriate specialist if needed.

• Screen Time & Technology Safety
  
  With digital learning, smartphones, and social media, kids are spending more time on screens than ever. Technology can be a helpful tool but requires healthy boundaries.

Guidelines for families:

• Encourage healthy boundaries around phone, tablet, and gaming time, especially before bed. Set clear screen-time limits (e.g., 1–2 hours/day for entertainment).

• Establish tech-free zones (like the dinner table or bedroom at night).

• Use parental controls and monitor online activity.

• Talk regularly about online safety, including cyberbullying and appropriate content.
• Encourage screen-free alternatives like outdoor play, board games, or hobbies to help kids unplug.
  
• Open Communication

Keep open lines of communication about friendships, bullying, peer pressure, and online behaviors so your kids feel like they can tell you if something is going on. Check-in with your kids often. Asking your kids how they are really doing can create a space for open conversation, which can go a long way, especially for teens.

Building a Strong Foundation for a Successful School Year

A successful school year starts with a healthy, well-prepared child. As you check off your back-to-school shopping list, don't forget the equally important task of setting your child up for success through preventative care, healthy habits, and emotional support.

By staying proactive about your child's health through regular checkups, vaccinations, proper nutrition, and open conversations about mental wellness, you help create the conditions for not only academic achievement but also a happy, balanced childhood.

Here’s to a happy and healthy start to the new school year!

Resources 

Great River Health is your resource for back-to-school health. In addition to offering well-child visits with pediatricians and PCPs, check out our online library to access health articles covering a wide range of health topics for parents and students of all ages: School health | Great River Health.

To see a list of Great River Health pediatricians and PCPs accepting new patients, click Provider directory | Great River Health.