During these unprecedented times, weighing most heavily upon parents is how to keep their children safe and healthy. This is especially true as children return to school. Whether in grade school or college, it is important children know how to stay safe while attending school.
The first step is ensuring your child has reviewed and understands new policies and procedures implemented by their school. They need to understand how things will be different and what to expect before arriving to school. Explaining preventative measures the school is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is particularly important. This will help children understand how they can help and do their part to prevent the spread of the virus. It will also keep them safe.
Prevention Starts at Home
Over the last several months we have learned the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. We have been told what to do if we think our child may be sick. We spend a lot of time reminding our children of precautions they must take to avoid getting sick.
However, despite our best efforts, kids will be kids.
Constant daily reminders are necessary. And, no matter how many times they are reminded, children will still do what they are told not to. They will get too close to people, forget to wash their hands, they will touch their faces and put their fingers in their mouths.
Continue to reinforce actions practiced over summer vacation such as washing hands regularly, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. This will help your child develop routines, and keep the practices fresh in their minds. In addition, explain why these precautions are necessary, as well as the positive effect they have on the overall community. For example, telling your child they are protecting neighbors and family when they wear their mask. This demonstrates an action your child can take, along with the positive result of their action.
That said, getting kids to wear a mask and keep it on can be a struggle. So how can you make it fun? Try buying a mask with their favorite character or color. Give them several masks to choose from, too. Then have them practice wearing their mask around the house so they get used to wearing it at school. Remember: It’s important that kids don’t share masks – the same goes for food, drinks and anything else.
Getting kids to practice social distancing can be more difficult than getting them to wear a mask. They’ve gone months without seeing their friends, and may find it hard to resist close interaction. Even with schools placing desks six feet apart and enforcing social distancing in hallways, children quickly forget why they should distance themselves from others. Parents must help children understand that social distancing helps keep their family and friends safe.
Tips from Our Cleaning Professionals
By your home’s entryway, create a designated area for clean masks to grab as you leave the home. In addition, designate a spot for used masks to be placed as you return home. This will help to ensure they get washed after every use. Placing a mask or two in your child’s school bag is also a great practice. This will prove especially handy on days when you are running late.
It’s important to wash your masks regularly. They can be cleaned with your regular laundry using regular laundry detergent. Use the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask. When drying, be sure your mask has been completely dried.
The most effective preventative measure to prevent spreading COVID-19 is washing your hands. Encourage children to wash their hands before and after contact with frequently touched areas such as doorknobs and surfaces.
Make sure children know how to properly wash their hands. This will reduce the risk of them getting sick from touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their face.
Here is a great way to show kids how to properly wash their hands:
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
You could also check out this fun hand washing video by AJR [].
If soap and water are not available, use sanitizer. Note: sanitizer does not eliminate all types of germs.
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