East Whittier City School District
Student Services
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN
Prevention of Disease: A state law which has been in effect since September 1975,
requires that all children entering first grade must have received a complete state
required health screening examination within eighteen (18) months prior to entering first
grade. We recommend that all children receive this examination just before entering
kindergarten to make sure there are no problems that will interfere with their learning.
The school should be notified of any physical problems that your child has when he/she
enrolls in school or any problems that develop later.
The school should be notified if your child takes medication regularly at any time. Ifyour
child has to take medication at school, obtain a special form to be filled out by your
physician.
In California, the law requires that all children be immunized against Polio, (MMR)
Measles, Mumps, Rubella,(DPT) Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus,
Hepatitis B and Varicela (Chicken Pox) before entering school the first time. Without
completion of these immunization/test requirements the child can be excluded from
school until they are met. Immunization is available from the family physician or County
Health Department. Proof of immunizations must be given to the school when the
child enrolls.
Please keep your child at home ifthere are any signs of communicable diseases, fever,
diarrhea, vomiting, etc. Children should be free of symptoms and their temperature
down to normal, 982 to 99s, before returning to school. Children who are absent from
school because of communicable diseases must be readmitted through the school office.
Certain communicable diseases require a note from the Health Department or your family
physician before readmittance to school.
Diet:
Children need a balanced diet to maintain good health and normal growth.
Children should NEVER be sent to school without some breakfast. Encourage your
child to eat something every morning before going to school. A balanced diet consists of
foods selected from all of the Basic Food Groups:
1.
Meat and fish
2.
3.
4.
Fruits and vegetables
Cereals, breads and grains
Dairy produces - milk, cheese, eggs, etc.
Rest and Sleep: Children at this age should have 10 to 12 hours of sleep at night, be in
bed about 7 p.m., and have a nap daily. Children who come to school in the afternoon
should rest at home just before lunch and for a short period after school. If possible, the
child should have a quiet, well ventilated room and a bed to himself. The bed should be
firm, with lightweight covers.
Children should avoid listening to highly stimulating radio and television programs before
bedtime.
4.
Clothing: Children's clothing should be light, loose, washable and practical for activity
on the playground. Sturdy shoes that support the foot, fit well and withstand rough
treatment are desirable. Shoes of any type should be about Vfe inch longer and 1A inch
broader that the foot.
Tennis shoes should be washed as often as necessary and have
good laces which children should be able to tie by themselves.
Practicing to tie shoes
should be done daily until they learn this task.
Due to changeable weather in California, children should bring a sweater or jacket to
school except on hot days.
5.
Posture:
Your child should be examined at regular intervals by your physician during
the years of growth. Special attention should be given to the spine, the length of the
legs, and to the way the child walks. Children should be reminded to sit and walk
tall.
6.
Cleanliness: Children should bathe regularly and have their baths supervised to make
sure they wash thoroughly. Children should be taught to wash their hands before eating
and after going to the bathroom.
Hair should be shampooed at least once a week. Nails should be trimmed neatly and
kept clean. During the colder months, vaseline should be used for chapped lips and
around the nails to prevent hangnails.
7.
Care of Teeth: Adequate dental care consists of proper brushing, balanced diet, and
periodic checkups. Care of primary teeth is just as important as the permanent teeth.
Early visits to the dentist before trouble starts will help the child feel less fearful of the
dentist. California law, Education Code Section 49452.8, now requires that your child
have an oral health assessment (dental check-up) by May 31 in either kindergarten or first
grade, which is his or her first year in public school. Please see the Dental letter
included in your packet for state requirements.
8.
Health Education:
By this is meant the training of the child in proper health habits.
Every child should be given a simple, truthful answer to any of his/her questions and at
the time a subject arises.
Every child should be taught that there is nothing shameful or unclean about any part of
the human body. Teach your child the proper names of his body organs and body
functions.
Proper health habits may best be taught to the child by training him/her to follow them
regularly.
Cheerfulness, perseverance, obedience, and truthfulness should be encouraged in the
child; these mental hygiene habits are just as important as bodily health habits.
The child should not be frightened about the doctor or dentist.
feel that they are, next to the parents, his/her best friends.
9.
Other Health Habits:
He/she should be made to
Open sores or new cuts should be protected by "BANDAID" type
or larger dressing before child comes to school. Any treatments must be done at home.
Only first aid (first time) treatments are done at the school.
Children's activities should be suitable and satisfying. There should be a time for both
indoor or outdoor play. Children should be encouraged to play outdoors in the sunshine.
Bed wetting may be due to nervousness, poor habit training, or physical defects, all of
which are important to correct. Consult your family physician.
Nail biting should be discouraged by keeping nails well trimmed and by eliminating
nervousness and fatigue.
Children should be toilet trained and know how to use toilet tissue and care for other
needs after use of toilet. If there is a tendency to constipation, give more fruits and
vegetables. Never give laxatives except when advised by your physician.
Excessive weight can be serious. Aside from interfering with physical health and
physical activity, it can be harmful to your child's self-confidence. Problems of
overeating which cannot be readily corrected at home at this age need to be reviewed
with your family health advisor.
PPS 2.20
Revised 01/12