As summer is winding down, our back to school preparations are gearing up! Here are my top 5 tips and tricks on how to keep your children healthy this school year.
These back to school tips are sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens and NIX Ultra! FOR MORE TIPS AND LIFE HACKS GO TO BHGPROMO.COM.
1. Make sleep a priority.
Pediatricians recommend that children receive 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Get bedtime routines back on track by cutting out caffeinated drinks after noon and powering off all electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime. Room darkening shades, weighted blankets, and white noise machines are great sleep aid options for those needing extra help catching some Z’s!
2. Sharing isn’t always caring. Help prevent head lice.
Every parent dreads it, but lice is a reality of school life! Lice is typically spread by head-to-head contact with someone who has lice, so teach children not to share hair brushes, hats, scarves, hair accessories, earbuds, or any other personal items that come into contact with hair. Tying long hair up into braids and ponytails may help prevent an infestation.
3. Start the day off right.
The school morning rush shouldn’t interfere with getting your kids properly fueled before first bell! Keep a variety of easy, quick, and healthy breakfast options available for kids to grab and go when needed. Yogurt, cheese, fruit, nuts, hard boiled eggs, granola bars, and whole grain unsweetened cereal with milk and berries are great breakfast options to consider.
4. Teach good hygiene habits including taking shoes off when inside.
Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water after visiting the restroom and before eating meals. You may also consider including an on-the-go hand sanitizer in their backpack for times when hand washing isn’t convenient. Another great way to cut down on the germs brought home is to implement a shoes off when inside policy. If shoes must be worn for medical or comfort reasons, consider investing in an “indoors only” pair of shoes or slippers. Recent research indicates that taking your shoes off when indoors will cut down on the germs and bacteria in your home. It’s a small measure to take that could possibly help keep your family healthier this year!
5. Make time for real talk. Keep communication open by asking the right questions.
Emotional health is vital to physical health and kids may not openly share when they are feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed at school. Instead of asking how was school today and receiving the dreaded one word answer fine, try asking more specific questions. Ask about specific classes and teachers, what they liked best and least about the school day, and what they wish they could change about the day.
Sponsored by:
For more great back to school tips check out the following related posts:
Clever Back to School Tips for Parents
10 Great Ideas for Homework Stations and Back to School Organization
Thach Vu says
Wow, What a cute idea! I really like them!