MACON — Schools across Central Georgia are preparing for class to start next month and we want to make sure your child is ready before the first bell rings.
Kids are enjoying their free time before school starts up, but surprisingly they say they're looking forward to getting back.
Nick Johnson, who is a father, says it takes time to get children back into the swing of things.
"Making sure we have a enough time to get her dressed; obviously sometimes with children they do not cooperate as well as we want them to," Johnson said.
Before you put your child in their new back to school outfit, you'll want to make sure their health is in tip-top shape.
Taylor Abernathy with Navicent Health says you want to make sure your child has a balanced diet and gets a good night's rest.
"More than eight hours, about eight to 12 hours of sleep," Abernathy said.
Abernathy also recommends you take your child for a checkup sooner rather than later.
"At school age, we like to see kids every year for a check-up," Abernathy said.
Once your kids start school, make sure you stress the importance of keeping their hands clean. He says when school starts, they see an uptick in viral illnesses.
"Stomach bugs, viral gastric issues, [and] strep throat," Abernathy said.
Usually, those sicknesses have to run their course, but Abernathy says you can also teach your child to cough or sneeze into their arm to avoid transmitting germs.
With that advice, Johnson says he is ready, but his daughter has other things on her mind.
"She's getting to the point where she is getting independent and wants to choose her own outfits. She does not always want to put on what she needs to wear for school," Johnson said.
Before your child gets ready for the first day, Abernathy also says it is good for kids to take a daily multivitamin when they wake up in the morning.