Supporting student success: Health and wellness strategies for the school year

Written by Dr. Bianca Maya, pediatrician at Riley Children’s Health Pediatric Primary Care - Fishers

With the 2025–2026 academic year underway, families are adjusting to new routines, responsibilities and expectations. Establishing healthy habits early in the school year plays a critical role in supporting children’s academic performance, emotional well-being and overall development. The following strategies can help ensure a successful year for students of all ages.

Prioritizing Sleep and Consistent Routines
Adequate sleep is essential for learning, memory, mood regulation and physical health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children ages 6–12 receive 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, while adolescents ages 13–18 require 8 to 10 hours. Maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule—even on weekends—helps stabilize circadian rhythms and improves classroom performance. Families are encouraged to establish good sleep hygiene from an early age. Some simple habits to incorporate include: keeping the room quiet, dark and cool and strictly for reading or sleeping, a wind-down routine that includes no screen time at least one hour prior to bedtime, limiting caffeine and sugar in the evening and ensuring adequate physical activity no later than three hours before sleep.

Managing Screen Time
For children ages 2–5, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting recreational screen use to about one hour per day, focusing on high-quality, interactional educational programming. For children 6 and older, the emphasis should be on balance rather than strict limits. This can be especially difficult with schools utilizing this as source of learning. Families are encouraged to create routines that ensure screen time does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, homework or family interactions. Again, keeping all screens out of bedrooms can further support healthy sleep habits.

Maintaining Strong School-Home Partnerships
Active communication between parents and educators is vital to student achievement. Monitoring grades, reviewing homework assignments and addressing challenges early in the school year can help prevent problems from going unaddressed. Proactive engagement with teachers fosters collaboration and ensures that students receive the support they need both in the classroom and at home.

Parenting during the school year is both rewarding and demanding. While changes are inevitable, small, consistent efforts can build lasting habits that benefit children academically and emotionally. Parents who notice persistent struggles in learning, behavior or overall well-being are encouraged to seek guidance from their child’s pediatrician. With thoughtful planning and support, the 2025–2026 school year can be a positive and productive experience for students and families alike. To find a Riley Children’s Health pediatrician near you, visit rileychildrens.org/primarycare.