No matter what grade your child is entering this fall, your back-to-school checklist is probably already filling up. Here's why a thorough physical and a sports physical should be on your checklist.

An annual visit with your pediatrician provides an up-to-date picture of your child’s growth, development and overall health. For many healthy kids, the return to school could be the only time they visit the pediatrician all year, making it an important opportunity to identify concerns before they become bigger problems

Summer physicals can also help your child's doctor spot new health issues such as a recent injury, food allergy or difficulties with sleep. Regular screenings to check your child's vision, hearing, balance, breathing, heart function and more can detect problems early, ranging from minor issues to more serious conditions that benefit from prompt treatment.

These visits are also an opportunity to discuss your child’s emotional well-being. Your pediatrician can ask about mental or emotional issues that may affect their learning, relationships and overall quality of life. They can offer guidance on building healthy habits and routines, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep and a family media plan, so that your child can be healthy and ready to learn and thrive in school.

School immunization requirements play a vital role in protecting children and communities. Every state requires certain vaccines before children begin school, helping prevent serious diseases such as whooping cough, polio, smallpox and others. High vaccination rates reduce the spread of illness in schools and help protect classmates, families, and individuals who are medically vulnerable.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children have vaccines according to the recommended immunization schedule and state. Strong immunization laws support healthy school environments and safe spaces where children can learn, grow and thrive.

Immunizations are one of the most important steps we can take to protect kids in the classroom. Following the AAP recommended vaccine schedule ensures that by the time your child is old enough to start kindergarten, their immune system will be ready to resist multiple diseases reducing missed school days and helping keep classrooms and communities healthier.

Some children may have medical conditions that require delaying or avoiding specific vaccines. In these situations, medical exemptions may be appropriate and can be temporary or permanent depending on the child's individual health needs.

Sports physicals aren't just for student athletes. The AAP recommends sports physicals for all children and teens, even those who don't plan to join a team. This provides an opportunity to discuss physical fitness, nutrition, body image and overall wellness while ensuring children are healthy enough to safely participate in physical activities.

Student athletes may need to submit forms showing they've had a sports physical before they can join a school team, so adding this to your back-to-school routine saves time. During this visit, your pediatrician can also provide tips for avoiding overuse and overtraining injuries, healthy eating for athletic success, and more.

Sports and other extracurricular activities can be great for kids, boosting physical activity, emotional health and a sense of belonging. If your child is interested in sports but not sure how or where to get involved, the pediatrician can help connect your family with teams and leagues in your community.

Being sure to have all school forms in hand makes the process smoother. Check with your child's school to make sure you have the right forms before heading to the doctor's office. Along with basic health screenings and sports exams, you may need to file paperwork if your child takes medication during the school day. This could include prescriptions for asthma, ADHD, seizures or serious allergies. Coordinating with the school health team now ensures that there are guidelines in place for handling health emergencies all year long.

Your pediatrician cares about parent and family health, too. If you're facing difficulties with housing, nutrition, health care expenses or anything else that affects your family's well-being, ask about local resources and programs that can help.

When we invest in children's health, we're investing in everything that follows: their learning, their confidence, their resilience, and their future. An annual back-to-school physical is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to help every child walk into the classroom ready to thrive.

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Smita Malhotra, MD, FAAP is the Chief Medical Officer of one of the largest school districts in the nation. Previously, Dr. Malhotra was the Director of a Newborn Nursery and co-founded a program that helped build resilience in children going through trauma. In 2014, Dr. Malhotra started a private practice with the goal of healing the whole child and family by combining traditional medicine with alternative therapies such as mindfulness, meditation, acupuncture and yoga. Her first book, "The Newborn Handbook," published in 2020, guides new parents and caregivers through the first three months with a newborn. Dr. Malhotra’s TEDx Talk, “The Power of Embracing A Non-Linear Path,” has had more than a half million views and counting. It was the second highest most watched TEDx talk in the world when it was released in November 2023.

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