If you’re a parent, you should do everything possible to prepare your child for the first day of school. When preparing your child for the upcoming school year, ensure their health is at the top of your priority list.
Children (and their parents) may experience a mixture of joy and anxiety as they prepare to return to the classroom. They have more important things to consider than just who they will have lunch with.
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So that they can be at their best throughout the year, kids will also want to know about viruses and germs and how to avoid getting sick. Parents can take some of the following measures to prevent their children from getting sick throughout the school year.
How do you keep kids healthy? 11 ideas discussed
1. Wash your hands regularly
If your kids consistently wash their hands frequently after sneezing or coughing, using the toilet, and eating, they’ll be less likely to catch nasty bugs from other people.
Proper hand hygiene entails using warm water and soap for at least twenty seconds, washing the hands thoroughly (including the backs and between the fingers), and drying them thoroughly. Remind your kids to wash their hands before and after performing the following:
- Before eating a snack or food
- After using the bathroom
- After blowing their nose, sneezing, or coughing
- After coming in from playing outside.
It is absolutely necessary to have a strong immune system in order to keep your child’s health in good condition and to avoid being sick during the academic year.
Reduce your child’s susceptibility to catching the flu or a cold by encouraging a healthy sleep routine, regular hand washing, stress management, a balanced diet, physical activity, humor, and play.
2. Sleeping enough
Learning and academic achievement depend on a student’s problem-solving abilities, memory consolidation, and cognitive processes, all of which are enhanced by sufficient sleep. A well-rested child is more focused and attentive in class. This makes absorbing new information and participating actively in the educational process easier.
Inadequate sleep can cause increased irritability, lowered resistance to illness, and a higher likelihood of developing mental problems such as nervousness and depression as a result of the stress.
To ensure your child gets adequate sleep, you should limit screen time, push for an early bedtime, and consider sleep requirements relative to age. They need at least 8 hours of sleep to recharge their systems and be ready to learn the next day.
3. Make a conscious effort to eat well
A balanced diet can optimally maintain your child’s health. What you put into your body profoundly affects how you feel physically and mentally.
To keep your child healthy and productive throughout the school year, you should ensure they eat plenty of proteins such as meat and eggs, green vegetables, citrus fruits, and dairy products.
Ensure your child gets enough water and eats healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals to improve their health.
- Encourage children to drink milk and water as healthy beverages. Beverages with caffeine or added sugar should be avoided or consumed in moderation. Caffeine can raise your child’s blood pressure and heart rate, prevent them from sleeping, and make them tense and irritable.
- End the day with a hearty meal together as a family. Health and happiness improve when people eat together as a family. It can help keep you alert and happy, aid in weight management and digestion, and boost cognitive performance.
- Veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and fruits make up a healthy meal.
- Your child’s ability to concentrate and focus throughout the day will increase with a healthy breakfast that includes whole grains, dairy, and protein.
4. Reduce the time spent in front of screens
Two hours daily is the maximum a child should spend in front of a screen (this includes computers, tablets, phones, video games, and televisions) unrelated to schoolwork. The screens’ light can lower melatonin levels, making it harder to doze off. This can also affect the daily cycle of the body.
5. Communicate more
Kids, like adults, experience swings in temperament. Your child may show a lack of interest in activities on a regular basis. They won’t do anything productive all day. They may also have downcast expressions on their faces.
All of these symptoms point to a mental health problem in your child. Your child may be experiencing anxiety. Academic anxiety is a common concern among diligent young people. Maintain open lines of communication with your kids. Additionally, show concern by working to resolve their issues as soon as possible.
6. Working out every day
As a parent, you are responsible for ensuring your children engage in sufficient physical activity. This will help to develop healthy muscles and bones. A healthy body can offer immunity against many potential illnesses.
Encourage your child to exercise for at least one hour per day. That will aid them:
- Improve academic performance
- Behaviour improvement
- Keep infections at bay
- Better emotions management
- Good health overall
- More restful sleep
7. Taking a break between activities
Always ensure your kids rest well between studying or other mental and physical activities. This will help them stay focused for longer.
8. Boost your memory with breakfast
For children who will be attending school that day, breakfast is the most crucial meal. A diet with complex carbs and low-fat protein is essential for optimal brain health and sustained daily energy. Better focus and performance in the classroom are the direct outcomes of a nutritious morning meal.
9. Stress management
Parents should foster an environment of warmth and open communication with their kids. Help them feel safe enough to discuss their feelings and concerns with you. Instill in kids the ability to deal with adversity and become emotionally strong.
This is done by introducing them to strategies like engaging in activities they consider fun to do, mindfulness, and deep breathing.
In addition, it is important to strike a balance between work and play to ensure that they have sufficient free time. Overcommitting can be harmful to their emotional well-being because it leads to burnout.
Since having a strong support system might help one feel less stressed, hanging out together as a family is important. This is where you do things that strengthen your relationship and promote a sense of security.
Recognize the signs of excessive stress, such as shifts in sleeping patterns, eating, or behavior, and get help if necessary.
10. Drinking plenty of water
Staying hydrated ensures that your bodily systems continue operating at peak efficiency. Consuming water regularly aids in digestion, the elimination of waste, and thermoregulation.
Dehydration slows down your body’s motor and reflex capabilities; thus, staying hydrated is crucial. The result is a loss of concentration while studying for school.
11. Timely vaccination
Protect your child from deadly diseases and help boost herd immunity by getting them all the necessary vaccines. Vaccinations protect against contagious diseases such as pertussis, mumps, measles, and rubella.
This makes them particularly useful in institutions like schools. Protect your child’s health and the health of others by getting them immunized.
Conclusion
You and your loved ones can worry less about getting sick if you and your child practice the above healthy habits. Additionally, take timely actions aimed at building your child’s immune system.
As parents, we are responsible for fostering an environment conducive to their optimal development. When it comes to your child’s well-being, you should never let your guard down.
A student’s foundation for success can be laid at the start of the school year. If you stick to the advice, your kid will be healthy all year.