2. Healthy children get plenty of sleep! Here are some sleep recommendations by age:
- (3-6 years old) 12 hours per day
- (7-12) 11 hours per day
- (12-18) 9 hours per day
3. Teach your child the importance of handwashing at school, ESPECIALLY before eating. Proper handwashing lasts for at least 20 seconds in warm, soapy water. Young children can learn to sing a song (“Happy Birthday” is an easy one), that will let them know how long to wash their hands.
4. Wash backpacks and lunchsacks at least once a week. Bags are breeding grounds for bacteria. You should wipe down bags with disinfecting wipes on a regular basis.
5. Encourage your child to cover their mouth when they cough and sneeze. Ideally, children will cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away. If a tissue is not available, show your child how to cough and sneeze on their upper arm (not their hands!). This will help prevent the spread of germs.
6. Don’t Share! I know that sounds mean, but there are a few times when it is okay not to share. Children shouldn’t share personal items like drinking straws, food, pencils and crayons because germs are easily passed along on these high-touch items.
7. Stay away from sick people. I tell my kids if any of their friends at school are coughing, sneezing or say they don’t feel good…stay away from them and their germs!
8. Parents: Please keep your child home when they are sick. Sending a sick child to school is not good for anyone. Your child needs to be at home to rest and recover, and the children at school don’t want to be exposed to your child’s illness. Be considerate and keep your child at home when they are not feeling well.
