Preparing for a new school year rarely comes down to just one task. It's a season of checklists, appointments, paperwork, and settling everyone back into a routine, all with the same goal of helping our children walk into the classroom healthy, confident, and ready to learn.

Dr. Darrell Gray II

As a husband and father, there's one appointment I never want to leave until the last minute for my own children: their annual well-child visit.

An annual well-child visit is one of the few appointments that is not about treating an illness or injury. Instead, it is an opportunity to pause and focus on your child's overall health as they prepare for the year ahead.

These visits give families dedicated time to talk with their child's healthcare provider about how they're sleeping, eating, learning, feeling, and developing. They also create space for the questions that naturally come up as children grow, whether it's managing an ongoing health condition, getting ready for a new school year, building healthy habits, or navigating a new stage of childhood. 

These appointments also provide time to complete school or sports forms, review recommended screenings, and help make sure your child stays on track with preventive care, including any immunizations that may be recommended or required before the first day of school. Most importantly, they give families the opportunity to get their questions answered, talk through concerns, and leave with a clearer understanding of their child's health.

Planning ahead can make the back-to-school season a little less hectic.

Maryland requires children entering a Maryland public school for the first time to receive a physical examination, and students must meet the state's school immunization requirements. Hearing and vision screenings are also required when students first enter a school system and again in first grade and eighth or ninth grade.

Scheduling this visit early can help families take care of several important back-to-school requirements.

If you're wondering whether it's time to schedule your child's next well-child visit, start with a quick call to your pediatrician or family medicine provider. They can help you understand what your child may still need before school begins.

As parents, we spend a lot of time preparing our children for a successful school year. We make sure they have the supplies they need, encourage healthy habits, and help them start the school year feeling their best.

Making time for this appointment is another important way to help set them up for success.

The first day of school will be here before we know it. Scheduling this appointment now is one simple way to help your family feel prepared for whatever the new school year brings.