As we reach closer to the fall, back-to-school is approaching for students across Kentucky. Whether entering kindergarten or preparing for college, the increase in closeness to others can spread illness. By talking to your child about how to stay healthy in school, you can reduce the chance of illnesses.
Vaccinate
Vaccination is vital for protecting the health of children as they interact with others. Many school districts require some vaccinations to enroll, and others are recommended. By vaccinating, your children will have better immunity against illnesses. Check the school district’s information and your child’s health records to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations. More information about the importance of vaccinating your children can be found on the CDC’s website.
Washing Hands
Before school starts, take some time to remind your child about the importance of washing their hands and wash your hands together. By washing your hands, you are able to remove germs and prevent the spread of illnesses. You should always wash your hands before and after eating, after using the restroom, after playing on playgrounds, and when using shared items such as door handles, scissors and toys.
Steps for Hand Washing:
- Wet your hands with clean water.
- Apply soap onto hands.
- Rub hands together to clean all areas including under fingernails for at least 20 seconds (or sing “Happy Birthday” twice).
- Rinse hands with clean water.
- Dry hands with towel or air-dry.
Avoid Sharing Clothing Items
Clothing items such as scarves, hats, shirts, or hair accessories/products can carry pests. Common examples of pests may be lice and bedbugs. By sharing clothing or accessories, pests may spread. Talk with your child about the importance of not sharing clothing items and review potential signs of pests.
Sneezing and Coughing
Illnesses can spread rapidly in schools due to germs. Sneezing and coughing are ways your body uses to get rid of germs. According to the American Lung Association, cough droplets can travel up to 50 mph while sneeze droplets can travel up to 100 mph. By practicing safe coughing and sneezing, the spread of disease can decrease by stopping germs from spreading. Before school starts, explain the importance of covering the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing and practice at home.
Sleep
Children need high amounts of sleep per night. Infants need up to 17 hours a day while 18-year-olds need up to 10 hours per night. By getting a full night’s rest, you can improve your immune system, brain development, and focus during the day. This is important for children as they are learning and growing. Creating a nightly routine before school starts can help kids get into a good pattern. Some recommendations to improve sleep quality include removing electronic screens an hour before bed and reducing caffeine intake.
Physical Health
Ensure that your child has regular doctor check-ups for developmental conditions such as hearing loss, vision problems, or asthma. If there are physical medical issues preventing the ability to focus, a child may not be able to perform as strong in the classroom. By scheduling regular check-ups, screenings for health issues can identify conditions that should be accommodated.
Individual Medical Needs
If your child has any individual medical needs, these should be communicated and documented with the school. These could include diabetes, allergies, asthma, required medications (including epi pens), epilepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other medical conditions. Before school starts, medication expiration dates should be checked, and accommodation plans should be confirmed. If an emergency occurs, these steps will help school nurses, teachers, and administrators respond.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), John Hopkins Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Environmental Protection Agency, Harvard Medicine Magazine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the American Lung Association were used to create this post.
Article by: Jared Christian
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