LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – It’s Parenting Connection Tuesday, and 6 News is here for you with tips, strategies, and helpful reminders from child development experts on how we can be better parents and guardians.Today’s topic: 6 tips to avoid the back-to-school sick bug.Parents, you may have already heard a sniff or a light cough. Doctors say, it’s the result of Mid-Michigan students now back to school, and your child is now in close contact with hundreds, if not thousands of them… many coming to school with a sickness.
Doctors say, some of the most common ones to spread at the beginning of the school year include: colds, the stomach flu, pink eye, and strep throat. These viruses can spread rather easily, too, because, for the most part, there’s not a lot of hand-washing going on at school. There are many ways to lessen the chances of getting sick from school, and here are the top 6:
- Get your kids to wash their hands while at school, and often — especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and when they’re done touching frequently touched surfaces. Using hand sanitizer works too.
- Explain to your kids where germs are hiding. This includes tablets, countertops, door handles, and handrails.
- Prioritize nutritious foods. That means staying away from processed foods and soda pop… and instead, providing plenty of vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins.
- Make sure your kids get quality sleep. Doctors recommend 9 to 12 hours a day of sleep for kids 6 to 12 years old, and 8 to 10 hours for teenagers.
- Get them active…. Experts recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
- Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines.
Now, if your child does get sick, doctors say, and I’m sure teachers and all the other parents will agree… keep them home. Preventing an illness from spreading also means knowing when your kid shouldn’t go to school…