As your child heads back to school this fall, you are going to need to make sure that you are watching out for your child's health. There are numerous things you can do to be proactive about protecting your child's health this fall.

#1 Set a Bedtime

The first thing that you should do is set a bedtime that allows your children to get at least eight hours of sleep. Remember to add in time for your child to take care of their hygiene, change into pajamas, and settle down before their bedtime.

Make sure that your child is going to bed early enough to get the sleep they need. If you notice that your child is still tired in the morning, move their bedtime forward a little more so they can get more rest.

Getting enough rest can help your child focus in school and will help your child fight off any disease or viruses that they are exposed to.

#2 Focus on Good Hygiene

At home, make sure that you focus on how to have good hygiene habits. Teach your child how important it is to wash their hands after they go to the bathroom and before eating a meal. Teach your child to take their time washing their hands; you may even want to teach your child a short song to sing in order to know that they have washed their hands well enough. Make sure that your child knows that drying their hands off completely is just as important as washing their hands.

In the morning and evening, make sure that your child knows the importance of brushing their teeth. Brushing their teeth is yet another healthy hygiene habit that you are going to want your child to develop that will protect their overall health.

#3 Have Lots of Healthy Snacks on Hand

Help keep your child healthy by having lots of healthy snacks on hand. Don't rely on processed and junk foods to provide your child with all of the energy that your child needs. Keep lots of easy to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains on hand. When it comes to snack, rely on giving your child snacks that will provide them with nutrients and vitamins that your child needs to have a healthy immune system.

#4 Stay on Top of Vaccinations

Finally, make sure that your child has all the right vaccinations that they need. Make sure that your child also gets a flu shot as soon as they can get it. The flu vaccine will not protect your child against all flu viruses, but it will help protect your child against some of the most commonly predicted strands for this flu season.

This fall, help keep your child healthy by making sure your child gets enough sleep and is on top of their vaccinations. Teach your child how to have good hygiene and provide your child with lots of healthy food to snack on. These are simple ways to help your child stay healthy this back-to-school season. Reach out to your family doctor for more tips.