Colds, flu, stomach bugs, and other viruses—including COVID-19—can run rampant in schools. Cut down on sick days by teaching kids to wash their hands before and after eating or using the bathroom. Maintaining a healthy weight can also be a challenge: nearly 1 in 5 U.S. schoolchildren have obesity. Discuss nutritional and fitness strategies with your child's pediatrician if that's a concern for your child. Behavioral issues, which are more common in children ages 6 and 11 than any other age group, merit a visit to the pediatrician (or a child psychologist), too.