Instant Med School: A Local Pediatrician Offers Back-to-School Advice

Besides acting as the primary care doctor for numerous Westchester kids, Ardsley's Karen Cole has three children of her own to keep healthy and get ready for the start of school. While she can't impart all her knowledge from medical school to concerned parents, Cole offers some sound advice on what parents can do to prepare for a smooth and healthy transition back to school.

"Parents should make sure they have their kids' annual check-ups done before school starts in September," Cole said. "I always recommend that parents consistently schedule their kids' physicals during the month in which the child was born."  

Cole said by maintaining a regular appointment, parents are less likely to get stuck with unsigned forms before school or athletic programs start, and the doctor's office is less likely to notice overdue physicals and need to track the parents down.

"It makes it easier for everyone when parents stay consistent," she said. "You may not always remember to make a doctor's appointment, but you'll always remember your child's birthday month."

Cole recommends parents ask all their questions during the annual physical, if possible coming with a list so that no important concerns are forgotten.

As the school year opens, Cole said parents whose children take medications during school hours should ask for new, updated proscriptions and personally deliver the medications to the school nurse in fresh, unopened packaging.

"Wth certain medicines--especially asthma pumps--the prescription and dosage may not be on the actual bottle or device. The nurse should see the original packaging to be absolutely sure the children are getting the correct medication."

For parents whose kids have special medical needs, Cole said it is wise to go in-person to the school nurse, just to introduce themselves and describe their children's conditions and requirements. 

As the first day approaches, Cole said making sure kids get back on a regular sleep schedule is invaluable. Especially this year--in which school opens, closes for the Jewish holidays, and then reopens--Cole said it would definitely be in younger children's best interest not to treat the added days off as extended summer vacation.

"For kids who have had free reign over their schedules during the summer, it may be hard to return to a regular pattern," Cole said. "But sleep is one of the most important parts of being prepared to learn."

Of course, many parents' greatest concern in sending their children off to a building filled with so many other kids is the spread of germs or--every mom's worst nightmare--head lice.

"To minimize the spread of germs it's important to teach your kids good habits," Cole said. "Make sure they know to wash their hands regularly and not to share hats or hair brushes."

While adding to backpacks hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes may be a good idea for older children, Cole does not recommend it for younger kids who may still put their fingers in their mouths. "Ingesting hand sanitizer can be dangerous," she said.  

But most importantly, Cole said parents should make sure to stay alert and act when something seems wrong.

"It doesn't take being a pediatrician to know something isn't right with your own kid," Cole said. "If you notice your child is squinting a lot or having trouble hearing, send him right away to the pediatrician to have his eyes or ears checked. Also, don't send your child to school with a bad cold or fever."

And, she advised, don't panic.

"The joy of pediatrics is that kids get sick, but they also get better," Cole said. "Sure it's not fun to have a sick child, but, when given the proper care, they bounce back really fast."  

Karen Cole is a pediatrician at Central Avenue Pediatrics in Scarsdale.