Now more than ever, parents and teachers are worried about kids spreading germs to each other and then to their families because of attending classes at school. While some bacteria and viruses can’t be easily avoided with the close contact of classroom learning, there are still things that you can do to keep kids safe and as healthy as possible.
Here are some natural ways to prevent the spread of germs and sicknesses in kids who are heading back to school this fall.
Teach Hygiene Habits
When kids get sick, they often cough, sneeze, and blow their noses out into the air and spread germs. Parents and teachers should remind students that good hygiene habits can keep everyone safer, such as sneezing into a tissue (or one’s sleeve is there’s no tissue within reach) and then washing the hands immediately afterwards.
Stay at Home When Sick
Students and parents often feel pressure to keep up academically and not fall behind by missing days of school. However, it is in no one’s best interests for a student to go to school when sick because this often makes the child sicker and spreads the disease to other people. Have a child stay home if he/she is too sick to partake comfortably in activities and have the child stay home until after the symptoms have subsided. Also, make sure that sick children get extra sleep and water while they are recovering.
Disinfect Surfaces Often
Surfaces can harbor germs for and transfer germs from one child to the next at school. Learn about different types of disinfectants that are most effective for your needs and make a point to use them often to reduce germ spread. Seagate Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner is a 100% all-natural approach to washing away germs without chemicals or harmful ingredients. It’s a great choice for everything from computers to food prep surfaces, chairs, countertops, and much more.
Limit Sharing
Teaching children to share with others is an important life lesson, but it’s also a very common way to spread germs. To avoid germs, make sure that children do not share drinking cups, utensils, or towels with each other.
Practice Good Hand-Washing
Washing your hands seems simple enough, but many kids still aren’t in the habit of doing it well and often. Teach kids how to lather up their hands for at least 20 seconds and rinse them with warm water before and after eating and periodically throughout the day after touching surfaces or other kids.
Eat Immune-Boosting Foods
To speed recovery when sick and also as a means of prevention, there are healthy and immune-boosting foods that children can eat to stay well throughout the school year. Berries are sweet and delicious for kids and contain antioxidants to keep immune systems working well. Broccoli may not be a child’s favorite food, but it’s packed with so many nutrients that it’s worth trying to sneak into meals.
Kiwis, oranges, and watermelons are foods that many kids enjoy and that are packed with natural vitamin C and other vitamins. Oily fish like salmon, yogurts with probiotics, oats, and nuts are other foods that contribute to a balanced diet and functioning immune system for little learners.