2. Back to School

Back to the classroom: For kids’ eating habits, a return to routine and nutrition

The reopening of schools will provide the necessary food variety and routine some children have lacked over the past year, UCLA Health experts say.

Back to the classroom: Communication is key for preparing children to return to school

‘We need to help kids think about why things are different now and what precautions schools are taking,’ says psychologist Melissa Brymer

Back to the classroom: A decline in COVID-19 cases is allowing L.A. County schools to re-open to elementary students

Districts must have approved safety plans, but it also will take vigilance on the part of families

Additional Stories

Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development During the Pandemic

Kids may be missing out on traditional back-to-school benefits, but there are other opportunities for growth

Managing your children’s nutrition as they learn from home

Some children depend on hot meal programs at school. Our nutrition experts share advice for healthy options.

High school seniors face big – uncertain – year as they set sights on college

How should teens deal with anxiety, frustration and fear for the future?

Advice to parents prepping for a new school year with kids at home: Give yourself a break

One tool for success is structure, but also a willingness to adjust as needed.

Remote learning poses added challenge for students with special needs

Learn how to help children with special needs adjust to being at home for the start of the school year.

COVID-19 is the new kid in class – and he’s a troublemaker

It will be a surreal first day of school in Southern California as students embark on a new year from a computer screen at home.

Meet Our Experts

Annabelle de St. Maurice, MD, MPH
Co-chief Infection Prevention Officer
UCLA Health

Nava Yeganeh, MD, MPH
Pediatric infectious disease specialist
UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital

Shangxin Yang, PhD
Pathologist
UCLA Health

Shilpa Baweja, LCSW, PhD
Developmental psychologist
UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

Cynthia Whitham, LCSW
Developmental psychologist
UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

Matthew Flesock
Executive Director
UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind

Melissa Brymer, PhD
Director of Terrorism & Disaster Programs
UCLA–Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

Catherine Lord, Ph.D.
George Tarjan Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry
UCLA’s Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior

Laura McMullin, PhD
Clinical Curriculum Developer
DMH-UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence

Erin Morse
Chief Clinical Dietitian
UCLA Health

Michael Wetter, PsyD
Child and adolescent psychologist
Director of Psychological Services
Nourish for Life and Medical Stabilization Program

Anuradha Seshadri, MD, MS
Pediatrician and internist
UCLA Health