How to Keep Kids Healthy In School

Tuesday - September 20th, 2016

Unfortunately, it’s easy for illnesses to spread in schools.

It takes just one child to come to school sick, and suddenly it seems everyone is sneezing and coughing. Here’s how you can teach kids to stay healthy during the school year:

Encourage proper hand washing. Washing hands correctly and frequently is the first defense again germs and illness. Make sure kids wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after blowing their nose or playing outside. Teach them to use soap, warm water, and wash for the duration of two Happy Birthday songs.
Give them travel-sized hand sanitizer. Pack it in their backpack and teach them to use it when they aren’t able to wash their hands. Make sure they know it’s important after using shared computers, participating in science labs, or before eating snacks are good times to use hand sanitizers.
Keep hands off eyes, mouths and noses. If your kids have a nail biting or finger sucking habit, work with them on ways to break it. Putting hands in the mouth is an easy way to pick up an illness, and it can also have a negative effect on your child’s teeth. Eyes and noses are also key routes for illness to enter to body.
Keep sick children home from school. Sometimes it can be a tough call to make, but if your child has a fever of over 100 degrees, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or could be contagious, it’s best to keep them at home. If you’re unsure, contact your pediatrician.

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