It’s hard enough to keep kids healthy in a normal year. Throw in a pandemic to make keeping your kids healthy even harder. The truth of the matter is that there’s still “normal” sickness even though COVID-19 is out there, too. We’ve got a few ways you can do your very best to keep your kids healthy this school year.
Wear A Mask
Many schools are making masks and face shields for most grades a requirement. This is one of the best ways to protect everyone. Many illnesses are spread through respiratory droplets. These are transmitted when a person sneezes, coughs, shouts, and even talks. When you’re going into a public place, wear a mask. One of the great things about masks is they’re being offered in many different colors, prints and patterns so your kid doesn’t have to roll their eyes at wearing a mask that isn’t cool.
Wash Your Hands
Washing hands is one of the best ways to keep illness away. It’s important to wash your child’s hands before eating, after using the restroom, after applying their mask, when they come in from any public place, and/or after they play with friends. You can also use hand sanitizer if you are in a bind. Make sure it is made with 70% alcohol.
A hand sanitizer holder is also a useful addition to your kid’s bag. Simply insert the key ring to the bag’s zipper pull, so your child always has a hand sanitizer to use in case washing hands is not possible.
Get Some Sleep
Getting a good night of rest will help your child’s mental and physical health. Lack of sleep can lead to poor concentration, injuries and depression. Kids should get in a routine where they get into bed the same time each night. Many kids will feel a little more stressed with the anxiety of the pandemic so it’s important this doesn’t interfere with their sleep. Talk to them about any of their worries so they aren’t thinking about them throughout the night.
Boost Immune System
To keep your kids healthy and not prone to sicknesses, boosting their immune system is essential. Aside from helping them develop good sleeping habits, you should also encourage the following:
- Eat a balanced diet – ensure that your kids eat a variety of healthy foods that are good sources of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Give your kids whole grains, nuts, lean meats, eggs, milk, fruits, and vegetables.
- Exercise – encourage your kids to be physically active. Biking, playing sports, walking, or running, are all fun things to do with your kids.
- Manage stress – your kids can face different forms of stress every day such as tests, homework, or social pressures. Know how to spot anxiety and stress in your kids and find ways to manage it. you can teach your kids how to de-stress. Things such as playing board games, taking a walk, or writing in a journal are some things you can teach your kids.
Give a Healthy Breakfast
For school kids, eating breakfast is crucial. Give your kids a balanced breakfast consisting of complex carbohydrates and proteins to boost brain function and provide energy for the day. Breakfast is believed to help in keeping attention and memory retention.
Discourage Touching Friends
Kids love to give high fives, hug and even wrestle. Discourage these things, and encourage air hugs and elbow bumps. It’s important to keep distance while walking in hallways or even playing on the playground. Limit playdates to smaller amounts so they kids aren’t hanging on one another. Try to play outdoors as much as possible. It’s okay to talk to your kids’ friends about your rules and explain why they shouldn’t hug and give fist bumps.
Get Updated On Vaccinations
Children should be up to date on all of their vaccines. This year is really important to get a flu shot. The hospitals are overloaded with COVID-19 patients, so throwing in more flu patients won’t be a good thing. Vaccines are the best way to help prevent the spread of disease.
Monitor Symptoms
Many people with the coronavirus think it’s just allergies. They go into work or send their kids to school not knowing they’re carrying a deadly disease. If your child has symptoms of a cold or allergies, do not send them to school to share the germs. This helps keep other kids well, and will help your child rest to fight off the illness. If they have fever, make sure they have been without fever for more than a day before sending them into public.
Don’t Share
Tell your child it’s important not to share their face mask or water bottle. It might seem fun to mix and match with others, but they don’t want the germs that lurk in another person’s belongings. They shouldn’t even trade clothing at this time. Label all of their things so someone doesn’t pick up theirs by mistake. Your child should only eat out of their lunchbox, drink from their water bottle and touch the things in their backpack.
The Final Words
Germs are everywhere. While it’s almost inevitable you can keep the entire family well throughout the year, it’s important to do your best to stay healthy. By following these guidelines, your family is best equipped to fight off the bacteria and viruses that threaten their health.