5 Tips for Helping Kids Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Many families are all too familiar with combating coughing, sneezing and runny noses during the winter. A very common scenario is a kid brings a cold home and then it gets spreads to every family member. This can also happen with the flu. If you want to help your kids stay healthy during the cold and flu season, and in turn keep the rest of your household healthy, here are five tips to put into action:

Consider Getting Flu Shots

Although flu shots aren’t foolproof, they are generally quite effective at preventing the flu and carry very few risks. If you want to discuss this issue in detail before making a final decision, don’t hesitate to bring it up to your family doctor.

Talk to Your Kids

Research shows that 4- and 5-year-olds are pretty good at listing accurate reasons for why someone might get sick. However, they also make plenty of mistakes, which is why it’s important to talk to your kids about germs and hygiene on an ongoing basis. By making a point of always explaining the “why” you’ll be able to help your children build healthy habits.

Set the Example

One of the most effective ways to avoid germs during this time of the year is consistent hand washing. But this is also something kids often want to skip when they’re in a rush to get back to playing. In addition to always setting a good example, you can also make this activity fun by turning it into a type of game with your kids.

Stay Consistent

Hand washing isn’t the only activity that does a very good job of preventing illness. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and getting ample sleep is also essential for keeping everyone’s immune systems working as effectively as possible. So if your family has been falling short in either of these areas, now is the perfect opportunity to get back on track.

Choose the Right Childcare

If your kids go to a childcare facility, that’s the location where they’re most likely to pick up germs and bring them home. The truth is that no amount of work on your part is going to help if your childcare provider isn’t on board with healthy practices as well. At All About Kids, we utilize multiple strategies to keep all the kids we care for healthy. In fact, one of the key features of our LEED-certified building is our ductless rooms. This design reduces bacteria and viruses, as well as keeps germs restricted.

By considering flu shots, talking to your kids, setting a good example, staying consistent and choosing the right childcare, your family will be able to minimize downtime due to sickness and enjoy a wonderful holiday season!