As the new school year begins, many parents are worried about the same old things. They need to get school supplies for their children and maybe even new clothes. This year, however, you may have a different hurdle in mind. If your child is injured during summer break, he may be starting the year on crutches. While starting a new grade can be difficult for many reasons, starting the year on crutches can make everything that much more difficult. Here are some tips to help you plan ahead so your child can start the year off on one foot as easily as possible.
Tip # 1 Prepare for school
The first thing to do to prepare for the school year is to talk to your child’s school. Let the school know about your child’s injury so it can put the proper gears in gear. You may, for example, need to bring medicine to the school nurse so your child can get what he or she needs at the right time during the day. The school may also allow your child extra time to go from class to class. You can also ask if your child can access the school elevator if the school has stairs. You will also need to excuse your child from going to the gym and bringing any other necessary instruction to school. If your child’s school is ready for your child, the transition to the school year will be much easier.
Tip No. 2 Prepare your child
When the school year begins, your child may be ready to go full blast. You will need to prepare him or what he is about to face. Remind him to listen to his body so he knows when he needs to rest or ask for extra help. Talk about things she might have to deal with at school that could be difficult, such as carrying books, going up and down stairs, and sitting for long periods of time. Help him find ways to get around these obstacles, like asking his friends to bring him things. If your child knows what to expect, he will get through the first few days more easily and adjust to the new situation, even on crutches.
Tip # 3 Look for alternatives to crutches
As you may have noticed, everything is more difficult for your child when he uses crutches. When you think about sending it to school, you may be afraid of how difficult it will all be. One thing you could do is look for mobility aids other than crutches to help make your day easier in a number of ways. There are several great options on the market that can really help your child get around easier and faster.
Going back to school is never easy, but when your child uses crutches, it can be even more difficult. These tips can help you prepare both your child and your school to make the switch from summer time to school as seamless as possible.