7 Ways to Keep Kids Healthy During the School Year

School is a place where kids learn and grow, develop social skills, and become independent individuals. It is also a place where they bring home germs and illnesses. They spend a lot of time in classrooms where viruses and bacteria transfer from one another easily. But by teaching kids some important healthy habits, parents can help make school and health a priority during the school year.rnTips on How to Keep Your Kids Healthy:rn1. Teach Your Child About Proper Handwashing:rnHand washing is one of the most important ways that can prevent the spread of illness in the classroom. By teaching your child how to wash hands properly, you can help keep the child from getting sick, and from infecting others if the child catches infections or illness. Tips for Teaching Hand Washing:rnWash your own hands.rnTalk to your child about when, why, and how.rnMake sure the sink is accessible for your child.rnMake it a fun task: buy fruit-smelling or toy soap.rn2. Give Your Child a Brain-Boosting Healthy Breakfast:rnEating breakfast has been associated with better academic behavior in children. And eating a balanced breakfast includes protein, complex carbohydrates, and helps to boost brain functions.rnTips for Healthy Breakfast:rnBoil some eggs.rnOffer some fish.rnChoose whole grain and skip the sugar cereal.rn3. Boosting Immune System Health:rnKeeping your child’s immune system strong is an important way to stay healthy. Maintaining a healthy diet can help reduce your child’s risk of getting cold, flu, and other infections.rnTips for a Good Immune System:rnEat a healthy balanced diet.rnGet enough sleep.rnExercise.rnLaugh together.rn4. Teach Your Child Healthy Habits:rnWhile it's not possible to shield your kids completely from catching a cold or the flu, especially if they attend daycare or school, you can teach them healthy habits to boost their immune systems and decrease their chances of picking up an infection.rnTips for Healthy Habits:rnGet them into the hand washing habit.rnShow them how to cough and sneeze properly.rnTell them to avoid touching their eyes.rnEncourage them not to share utensils and cups with friends.rn5. Give Your Child Healthy Afterschool Snacks:rnWhen kids get home after school, they are often ravenously hungry. School-age children may not need to eat as frequently as they did when they were toddlers, but they are growing children who still need snacks.rnBut just because you need to feed them fast doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice healthy eating.rnTips for Healthy Afterschool Snacks:rnHealthy snacks are important for the brain as well as the body.rnDo not let your child overdo snacks after school.rnSlow down the snacking.rnShop for healthy snacks together.rn6. Set Good Sleep Habits:rnMaking sure your child gets enough sleep is a crucial part of keeping the child healthy. Sleep is important not only for a child's physical and emotional health but it can play an important role in how well the child does in school too.rnTips for Good Sleep Habits:rnStick a routine time for sleep.rnLimit electronic stimulants before bedtime.rnKeep the room comfortable for sleeping.rnDon’t allow coffee before bedtime.rnWatch your child instead of the clock.rn7. Lookout for Anxiety or Stress in Your Child:rnWith homework, tests, and social pressures kids can face a lot of stressful situations every day. Research shows that stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on kids' health. Find out how to spot the symptoms of stress in your child and find ways to manage his anxiety.rnSigns of Anxiety in children:rnBehavioral or Emotional:rnDifficulty in concentrating.rnFears (fear of the dark, being alone, or of strangers).rnPhysical:rnBed wetting.rnSleep problems, nightmares.rnYour child's health includes physical, mental, and social well-being. Most parents know the basics of keeping children healthy, like offering them healthy foods, making sure they get enough sleep and exercise, and ensuring their safety. It is also important for children to get regular checkups with their health care provider. These visits are a chance to check your child's development. They are also a good time to catch or prevent problems.