McMaster Children’s Hospital getting families back on track for back-to-school

HAMILTON, ON – Back-to-school is quickly approaching, and experts at Hamilton Health Science’s McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) have developed a series of quick tip videos to help guide parents and children through this annual milestone.

“While back to school season is an exciting time for youth and their families, we also recognize that it can be overwhelming for some,” says Bruce Squires, President of MCH. “Our team is pleased to offer some resources for families and students to make the transition a little easier.”

Over the course of the pandemic, many routine medical appointments have been missed or postponed.

• Dr. Jeffrey Pernica, Infectious Disease Pediatrician at MCH, discusses how many children are not up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, what vaccines are needed, and why it is so important for this school year – https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/back-to-school/vaccinations/.
• Brittany Lane, Child Life Specialist in the Ophthalmology Clinic at MCH, underscores how scheduling a yearly eye exam for your child helps to reduce barriers to learning – https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/back-to-school/checking-your-childs-vision/.

Also at various points throughout the pandemic, MCH saw increases in children presenting with mental health distress. Squires adds, “In addition to missed medical appointments, mental health for children is an area of concern. We know that setting a routine when heading back to school and continuing in-person learning with supportive peers and families has a significant positive impact.”

• Jenny Cooke, Child Life Specialist at MCH, shows parents and kids how to return to a daily school routine after a summer off – https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/back-to-school/returning-to-a-school-routine/.
• Dr. Christopher Sulowski, Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at MCH, talks about how kids and families can safely walk and bike to school this year so they don’t end up seeing him in the emergency department – https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/walking-biking-to-school/.
• Laura Sergeant, Child and Youth Mental Health Clinical Specialist at MCH, shows everyone how to be a gender diverse ally and friend in the classroom – https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/back-to-school/being-an-ally/.

The videos can be found on the MCH Instagram and Twitter accounts, as well as the Hamilton Health Sciences TikTok account.

For more information and resources, please visit https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/back-to-school.