Don’t tell the kids, but the next school year will be here sooner than we’d all like to admit. The back-to-school to-do list can be long and daunting, but scheduling your child’s checkup and sports physical is one of the ways to get ahead of the game. Benefits can include bypassing last-minute stress by avoiding the rush, and catching and addressing concerns with time to spare.
Better Appointment Availability
Summer can be overwhelming, and many parents may feel the need to put off back-to-school preparation. This, however, could come back to bite you with the intensity of a thirsty mosquito. By scheduling a well check and sport physical early, you’re likely to have more available appointment options that don’t interfere with school, vacation schedules, camps, or after-school activities. If your pediatrician’s calendar fills up, you may not be able to get the physical done in time for your child to be eligible for their favorite fall sport. Be the early bird and skip the stress.
The Opportunity to Address Secondary Health Concerns
Getting your child in the door over the summer can give you and his or her physician the opportunity to get a jump on any unexpected issues. For example, you may learn your kid is experiencing vision changes and needs glasses or contact lenses. Or perhaps the pediatrician detects a more serious situation requiring a specialist referral. Whatever the case, you have more time to act and make sure your child is prepared for the upcoming school year.
Holistic Health and School Anxiety
As the new school year looms, it can stir up anxiety in children. Irregular sleep, mood and behavioral changes, and other warning signs may appear. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages pediatricians to integrate mental, emotional, and relational health into their approach with patients into routine physicals. Addressing these issues earlier in the summer allows student athletes and their parents time to establish a treatment plan. Additionally, they can learn how to spot off-season stressors, and apply coping skills when facing the compound pressure of sports and academics.
Schedule Your Child’s Sports Physical
To cross your child’s well check and sports physical off your checklist, schedule an appointment online. For your convenience, Children’s Medical Group has the participation physical evaluation form available online for you to fill out in advance.