Schools can be a battleground for germs. Our curious children are constantly exploring lands unknown, and acquiring many germs along the way. Keeping our children clean, and feeding them the right things, can help increase their defense against illness. Below are our tips for keeping your children healthy during cold and flu season.
Tips Good Child Hygiene
Clean hands are key to preventing the spread of infection. Children should be washing their hands:
- After playing outside
- Before eating
- After they sneeze
- After using the bathroom
- If their hands appear dirty
Teach children to cover mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Then, throw the tissue in a trash bin immediately after use, and before washing their hands. If they don’t have a tissue handy, they should cough or sneeze in the crease of their elbow. Keeping hands and other inedible objects out of children’s mouths is also helpful.
Why is Good Hygiene Important?
Kids play and learn in close proximity to one another. Germs can transfer easily in these situations, and can in turn spread to the rest of the family at home. Bouts of the common cold and upset tummies are common in families at the start of the new term. Helping your child to understand good hygiene, can help your child and your family stay healthy.
Healthy Diet
Whether your child has a packed lunch or a school meal, a varied and balanced diet will help protect their health, and promote proper growth and development. Healthy eating also increases concentration during lessons and aids the immune system in fighting off illness. Lunches should provide a variation of healthy food that is low in fat and sugary items. Fruits and veggies should be included with each meal.
Water is always the healthiest option for a drink during the school day. Avoid drinks high in sugar, sweeteners, and additives. You should encourage your little ones to drink plenty of water through the day. Slight dehydration can lead to poor concentration, lethargy, irritability, and headaches, which can make children more prone to catching illness.
These little tips can be the difference between a sick day and school day. Clean hands and healthy meals are the key to a flu free fall!
