In our last article you read, we touched on the importance of getting your children immunised and when they need to get their shots.
That’s great, but what about the older kids and is there anything you can do as a parent to protect them from all the harmful viruses that spread around school?
Provided you had your children immunised, that’s a great start to protecting them against things like measles, chickenpox and whooping cough.
But there is much more than that, and while you can’t wrap them in cotton wool (they are GOING to get sick at some point): there are ways you can teach them to look after themselves to help prevent catching everything and anything.
Five Tips to Help Keep Your Children’s Health in Check
TIP NUMBER ONE:
Washing hands. Get your kids to make sure they wash their hands a few times a day with soap and water.
Studies found only 30% of girls and less than 10% of boys use soap when washing their hands, so make sure you teach them the importance of it.
TIP NUMBER TWO:
Covering their mouth with their hands or a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Saliva is the main reason colds and other illnesses spread. Someone standing too close to a sneeze or a cough can easily have germs transferred.
If you teach your children to cover their mouth, they’ll protect others and themselves.
TIP NUMBER THREE:
Eat well and drink lots of water. Fruit, veggies, meat, grains. The right amount of balance in their diets is bound to help with their health. And ensure you teach by example and you’ll be feeling great yourself!
TIP NUMBER FOUR:
Teach them it’s okay to say no when it comes to sharing at school. Ensure they have their own pencils and pens, make sure they know to stick to their own drink bottles, keep their towels, lotions and lip balms to themselves.
TIP NUMBER FIVE:
Go to the GP. There’s no need for children to be scared of going to the GP when they are ill, so you need to make sure they have a doctor they feel comfortable around. Get a doctor that is helpful, willing to listen, and willing to get to know your children personally.
