At school, kids are exposed to an influx of germs that can cause a number of unnecessary illnesses—including colds, flu and strep throat. Germs like to hang around water fountains, computer keyboards, toilets and students’ hands.
To keep your family free from the sniffles all year long, here are some easy-to-follow tips to ensure a happy and healthy winter.
Handwashing 101
It seems simple enough, but research shows only 5 percent of people wash their hands properly. The CDC provides five simple steps: wet, lather, scrub (for at least 20 seconds), rinse and dry. Hand washing is the best defense against germs and if soap and warm water aren’t available, using hand sanitizer is a good option.
Sanitize school supplies
School supplies, lunch boxes and the bottoms of backpacks should be sanitized weekly. These items are exposed to a variety of germs lurking in places like gym lockers, desks and in bathrooms. Use disinfecting wipes on plastic objects and throw items like lunch boxes and backpacks in the washing machine.
Set a sleep schedule
A regular bedtime and an alert morning go hand-in-hand. The National Sleep Foundation recommends establishing a nighttime routine that may include reading a book or taking a bath to signal the brain that it’s bedtime. Technology such as tablets, smart phones and gaming devices should not be kept in the bedroom.
If you’re wondering how much sleep your child needs nightly, experts recommend school-aged children sleep 9-11 hours, and teenagers sleep 8-10 hours.
Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping breakfast can mean decreased cognitive performance in areas like alertness, attention, memory and problem solving. A healthy, balanced diet keeps kids mentally sharp and focused.
Sick or faking it?
It’s hard to know if you’re child is sick when they complain of stomach problems or say, “I just don’t feel well.”
Before you rush to the doctor’s office, consider the following:
Is your child tired?
Have they been exposed to an illness?
Is she anxious about something?
Has he been embarrassed in class?
Is she feeling bullied?
Is he not prepared for an upcoming test?
If the answer is yes, you may want to let you child take a “mental health” day.
