| Colds and kids seem to go together, especially when | | | | implement a transition time before bed with reading or |
| they reach school age. The nature of the school day - | | | | another quiet activity to set the tone for sleep. A |
| close quarters, lots of children playing together and | | | | nightly routine is crucial in establishing a good sleeping |
| sharing things - increases each student's risk of | | | | pattern in children. |
| contracting an illness. Yet families can take an active | | | | Keep immunizations current. While some question the |
| role in making sure those risks are reduced by doing a | | | | safety of immunizations, an overwhelming number of |
| few simple things. Pass these tips onto parents, and | | | | doctors agree that without them, childhood diseases |
| perhaps students in your classroom will experience a | | | | like Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Polio would make |
| few less cases of colds and flu this year. | | | | countless children ill, or worse. Keeping your child's |
| Wash those hands. The number one thing kids should | | | | immunizations current will not only guard him from |
| do to prevent illness or disease is thorough and | | | | disease -- it will protect other children, as well. If you |
| frequent hand-washing. To be effective, kids should | | | | have any questions about the safety of the |
| wash hands with soap and warm water for at least | | | | immunizations your child needs, talk to your doctor. |
| 30 seconds - about the amount of time it takes to sing | | | | An apple a day. Benjamin Franklin claimed this |
| "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Studies have shown that | | | | common fruit would certainly keep the doctor away. |
| regular soap is as effective in removing germs as | | | | He was right about one thing: a healthy diet will boost |
| anti-bacterial soap, as long as enough friction is | | | | your immune system, make you feel great and will |
| maintained while cleansing. So encourage kids to rub | | | | help keep doctor appointments to a minimum. |
| hands vigorously for the allotted time, then rinse well. | | | | Encourage your children to eat a diet rich in colorful |
| Dry with disposable towels instead of cotton ones to | | | | fruits and vegetables, low in fat and sugar, and high in |
| reduce contamination once hands are clean. And don't | | | | fiber and whole grains. A couple of healthy snacks |
| forget to keep fingernails trimmed and clean. | | | | each day will keep your child's blood sugar level |
| Get your beauty sleep. Children, especially adolescents, | | | | between meals, and could help her focus, maintain |
| frequently don't get enough rest, making them sleepy | | | | good behavior and keep a healthy weight. |
| and unable to maintain focus on tasks during the | | | | 98-99-100...Here I come! Kids were made to move, so |
| school day. Studies show that the amount of sleep a | | | | encourage your child to get plenty of exercise each |
| child gets is directly related to his school performance, | | | | day. But you don't have to call it "exercise." Shooting |
| health and even behavior. Doctors recommend | | | | hoops, jumping rope, playing hide-and-seek - any fun |
| kindergarteners get 10-12 hours of sleep each night, | | | | game that gets them moving will benefit their overall |
| and say kids ages 7-10 should be sleeping 10 or 11 | | | | health and fitness. Limit TV time and sedentary |
| hours. Adolescents 12-18 need to sleep at least 8 or 9 | | | | activities. And by all means, model healthy habits by |
| hours each night. To help your child get better quality | | | | getting outside to play with them. You'll benefit as |
| sleep, make sure the bedroom is cool, dark and quiet. | | | | much as they will. |
| Limit caffeinated and sugary drinks late in the day, and | | | | |