‘BTS’ means ‘back to school’ season for children everywhere. Unfortunately, for some it means ‘back to sick’ season. After the summer ends, children and young students jump back in the routine of going to school, where they will share all of their fun summer memories. However, they could also be sharing germs. The sharing of bacteria and viruses can lead to the following illnesses and so much more:
- the stomach flu
- pink eye
- sore throats
- stuffy noses
Sometimes, taking steps in order to keep your child healthy are small and easy, but they make the biggest difference. Help your child stay well this back to school season with the following tips!
Make sure your child knows how to properly wash their hands
Germs are spread by touch. A child’s hand-washing habits can be a huge factor in whether or not a child becomes sick. Practice hand-washing techniques with your child at home. It is said that an individual should scrub their hands for at least 20 seconds under the sink.
Is sharing actually caring?
Children share so many things throughout a school day. It is important for children to know what is okay to share and what could lead to sickness later on. Kids may think they are being kind by sharing their snacks and supplies. However, objects such as these can hold germs that lead to sickness.
Encourage your child not to share personal items, especially those items that come in contact with the mouth, nose, etc.
Kids need rest too
It is important that your child gets the rest he/she needs. Getting the right amount of sleep can help their body fight off the bad germs that cause sickness. If it seems as if your child is not getting enough rest, check in with them and encourage good night time habits.
Know when to keep your child at home
It is important to give your child every opportunity to learn. However, it is also important to give your child the opportunity to get better when they are sick. Some questions you can ask yourself when deciding if you should send your child to school or not is:
- Does he/she have a fever?
- Does he/she seem too sluggish to benefit from a school lesson?
- Do the symptoms seem like something contagious?
If even one of the answers to these questions is yes, take your child to see a doctor. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Make sure contact information at child’s school is up to date
Ensure that the school your child is currently going to has the correct contact information for you and/or other friends and family.
In the instance that your child becomes ill at school, the faculty/staff can call you to come pick up your child. It is also smart to provide backup numbers as contact information as well.
Keep your child up to date on immunizations
Make sure your child is up to date on his/her vaccinations before the school year begins. It is always a good idea make your child an appointment with his/her pediatrician, before the start of a new school year to be up to date with your child’s health.
With this, it is also important for our parents and guardians of 5thgraders to OPT IN to scoliosis screening!
