School-age health and daily care: in a nutshell

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Signs of serious illness

If your child shows any of these signs, see your doctor. The more of these signs she has, the more serious it is likely to be.

• drowsiness (she is less alert than usual)
• decreased activity or lethargy (she is less active and just wants to lie around)
• breathing difficulty
• poor circulation (she looks paler than usual, maybe cold hands and feet).

Always seek urgent medical attention if your school-age child:

• vomits green fluid
• has a convulsion (a fit)
• stops breathing for more than 15 seconds.

You know your child best. If you have any worries about her health, seek medical advice.

Going to the doctor. If you are visiting the doctor, let her know in advance what to expect. At the doctor’s office, involve her in what's happening during the examination. She may even want to think of questions to ask the doctor so she feels involved in the process. A doctor who takes the time to talk to your child will make all the difference. Read to her our tips on how to make doctor visits.

Common health problems

School-age children are prone to:

• Growing pains: although 20% of young school children suffer growing pains, their cause is still a mystery. These are the symptoms:
  • An aching or burning sensation in the legs, in the muscles of the thighs, calves, feet or in the joints. The pains can also occur in other parts of the body, although this is less common.
  • The pains usually occur at night, sometimes waking her up, but are also common in the daytime.
  • They are rarely so sore that they stop her getting around.
  • Growing pains tend to come and go. Your child may get some relief and comfort from a massage on the pain spot. If massaging really hurts, he may be suffering something more serious, so seek advice from your doctor.
• Lice: these tiny parasites attach themselves to children’s hair, lay eggs and cause lots of itching. They are most common when children start socialising in groups at school. The best way to remove lice is with a fine-toothed lice comb and lots of cheap conditioner.
• Abrasions: cuts, grazes and scratches are common in preschoolers and can usually be treated at home. However, you should see a doctor if:
  • The cut is deep and doesn’t stop bleeding with firm pressure, or is large with rough or jagged edges.
  • There is a lot of dirt, gravel or splinters of wood, metal or glass in there.
  • You are not sure if your child is up-to-date with their tetanus immunisation.

Car sickness

Almost 50% of children suffer at least one bout of car sickness. If your child goes pale, becomes very quiet or complains of feeling sick, stop and let her have a walk in the fresh air.

To help your child avoid travel sickness:

• Offer her something to eat (but not fatty foods) before you leave. It seems worse on an empty stomach.
• Encourage her to look out the car window at non-moving object, like houses or the sky. Looking at moving things, like other cars, can make her feel woozy.
• Open the window a little for fresh air.
• Reading in the car can bring on the woozy feeling.

Teeth

Your child’s first permanent teeth start to arrive at about age six. This is a cause for excitement at school and you may get stories about Madeleine’s tooth stuck in her sandwich or how Callum had a visit from the tooth fairy.

• Your child may need your help to clean her teeth properly. Use a small smear of toothpaste on a soft bristle toothbrush, twice a day, in the morning and before bed at night.
• The best way to prevent tooth decay is to go easy on sugary food and drink. Sugar (even the sugar in fruit juice) rots teeth and can actually spoil the appetite for healthy, nutritious food. Solid fruit is better for them and water is the best thirst quencher.
• To keep her teeth healthy, go for regular dental check ups as often as your dentist advises.

Sun care

For vitamin D, children need a small burst of sun, as little as 15 minutes, each day. The sun’s burning UV radiation is strongest in Australia from September to April, between 10 am and 3 pm. So try to plan outdoor activities for early morning and late afternoon.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, protective clothing and shade are the best ways to stop sunburn, especially between 10 am and 3 pm. It’s a good idea to apply sunscreen before you drop your child at school so you know he is protected. Most schools have an outdoors policy of ‘no hat, no play’ so make sure he takes his hat each day.

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  Newsletter snippet: School-age health and daily care: in a nutshell
  

   

  By Raising Children Network

  School-age children are prone to the same illnesses as younger children – with the addition of growing pains!
  
  Common health problems

  • Growing pains: around 20% of school-age children suffer from growing pains but their cause remains a mystery. Symptoms include aching legs or joints, usually at night and occurring intermittently.
  • Lice: use a fine-toothed lice comb and plenty of hair conditioner to remove these tiny parasites.
  • Abrasions: most abrasions can be treated at home. See a doctor if the cut is deep or jagged and doesn’t stop bleeding, if there is dirt or foreign material in the cut or if you are unsure whether your child’s tetanus immunisation is up to date.
  • Car sickness: almost 50% of children suffer from car sickness at least once.

  Remember to care for your child’s teeth with regular brushing, check-ups and a low-sugar diet. And don’t forget sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, protective clothing and shade when she’s out and about.
  
  This article is an extract only. For more information, visit raisingchildren.net.au/health__daily_care/school_age_health.html.

  Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website www.raisingchildren.net.au.