Company Website:
http://www.healthnet.com
LOS ANGELES -- (Business Wire)
With children nationwide either already back in school or soon to be,
parents are busily charting carpool schedules and bracing for homework
wars. While this can be a stressful time of year for moms and dads, it
can be even more so for students. That’s why Health
Net, Inc. is sharing tips to help ensure a smooth back-to-school
transition for the whole family.
“It’s entirely normal for children and parents to experience a degree of
stress when it’s time to start a new school year,” said Steve Blake,
vice president of Clinical Operations at Managed Health Network (MHN), a
subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. “The key to minimizing back-to-school
stress is taking steps – before the summer ends – that will help both
parents and children begin the fall semester feeling upbeat rather than
anxious.”
Ten Transition Tips
Recognizing the challenges that the start of a new school year can
bring, MHN’s health educators developed the following tips to make this
annual passage a positive one:
- Start a sleep schedule – About a week before the first day of
school, children should begin a bedtime and wake-up schedule that
mirrors their impending weekday routine. Not only is it important to
institute bedtime and wake-up schedules, but it’s also essential that
youngsters receive recommended amounts of sleep. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention offers these guidelines:
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| Recommended Amount of Sleep |
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Newborns
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16-18 hours a day
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Preschool-aged children
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11-12 hours a day
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School-aged children
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At least 10 hours a day
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Teens
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9-10 hours a day
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Adults (including the elderly)
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7-8 hours a day
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- Don’t skip breakfast – While mornings can be extremely hectic,
it’s crucial – particularly for youngsters – that breakfast not be
sacrificed due to the morning rush. In fact, according to the National
Education Association, research has shown that breakfast is the most
important meal in relation to academic achievement, children’s health,
cognitive development and mental health.
- Schedule checkups – This is an ideal time to make sure your
child is in good physical and mental health, so children and teens
should have annual medical and dental checkups. Share any concerns you
have regarding your child’s physical or psychological development;
your pediatrician will determine if these concerns require additional
evaluation.
- Set afterschool rules – Before school starts, sit down as a
family and map out the afterschool rules, including: when and where
homework will be done (your house should include a distraction-free
area equipped with a desk and well-stocked with school supplies); the
amount of time that’s allowed for watching TV and playing games; and
how many extracurricular activities – such as sports and scouts – can
be juggled.
- Review and write down – The National Association of School
Psychologists suggests to make it a priority to immediately review all
materials sent home by the school, as these often include important
information about requirements, expectations and events. As a second
step, make note of any important dates in your calendar so you don’t
overlook them when the time comes.
- Create a family calendar – Stay on track as a family by posting
a calendar in a central area, such as the kitchen, that lists each
family member’s appointments, activities, events, due dates and test
dates.
- Foster organizational skills – In addition to creating a family
calendar, help your child develop a personal organizational system to
stay on top of assignments, tests and important dates. Possibilities
include a white board, a day planner or a smart phone’s notes function.
- Provide summer closure – Ending the summer on a positive note
can help lay the foundation for starting the school year on a positive
note. Achieving this could range from capping off the summer with a
family trip to simply hosting a backyard barbecue.
- Drop a note – At the start of the semester, drop a note to your
child’s teachers, letting them know that you’re interested in
receiving regular feedback regarding how your child is doing. Also be
sure to attend back-to-school night and introduce yourself to the
teachers.
- Assess anxiety – While some students are excited to start a new
school year, others dread it to the point of debilitating anxiety. The
reasons can run the gamut, from separation anxiety to previous
bullying to the existence of an undiagnosed mental health issue.
Parents concerned about their child’s mental health should first
contact their child’s pediatrician to rule out any physical health
conditions as a cause. If there are no physical issues, the next step
would likely be a referral to a mental health specialist, such as a
psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist or social worker.
Looking ahead to the fall semester, MHN’s Blake said, “We think it’s
important to remind parents that their back-to-school to-do lists also
should include paying attention to their children’s mental health.”
Follow Health Net
Medical Advice Disclaimer
The information provided is not intended as medical advice or as a
substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your
physician or other health provider for any questions you may have
regarding your medical condition and follow your health care provider’s
instructions.
About Health Net
Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) is a publicly traded managed care
organization that delivers managed health care services through health
plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to
help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net provides and
administers health benefits to approximately 5.8 million individuals
across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the
Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as “Part D”),
Medicaid, U.S. Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans
Affairs programs. Health Net also offers behavioral health, substance
abuse and employee assistance programs, managed health care products
related to prescription drugs, managed health care product coordination
for multi-region employers, and administrative services for medical
groups and self-funded benefits programs.
For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net’s
website at www.healthnet.com.
This release contains references and links to other websites that may
contain content that is not owned or controlled by Health Net. Please be
aware that references or links to other websites are provided for the
user’s convenience and that Health Net is not responsible for any such
content that is not owned or controlled by Health Net. Health Net does
not express an opinion on any such content and disclaims any liability
in connection therewith.
Contacts:
Health Net, Inc.
Lori Rieger, 602-794-1415
lori.rieger@healthnet.com
www.twitter.com/hnlori
Source: Health Net, Inc.
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