Healthy Kids

Avoiding Illness

Viral and bacterial illnesses are extremely common among young and elementary age children, and preventing and avoiding illness is key to having healthy kids. While you can't prevent every illness, taking common sense precautions can go a long way in keeping your child away from sickness.

Good Hand Washing

Physicians agree that frequent and thorough hand washing remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. Children should wash the front and back of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails with warm water and soap. Despite the popularity of anti-bacterial soaps, most health experts agree that standard soap can work just as well when used with correct hand washing techniques. The over-use of anti-bacterial products, in fact, has been subject to controversy.

How long should a child wash his or her hands? A fun and simple way is to have them sing a short song, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" or the "ABC's. For older children, have them count to thirty before rinsing their hands. Teach children to use a towel or tissue to turn off faucets, especially in public restrooms, to avoid a reapplication of the invisible nasties lurking on the handles.

Vitamin C

The archaic formula of a glass of OJ is not as outdated as you might think. Even in the midst of tremendous technological advances, the natural immune-building powers of vitamin C are yet to be disputed. Many children's daily multi-vitamins come fortified with extra vitamin C, or make sure you have oranges, juice, or other foods rich in vitamin C on hand.

When to Share

Ironically, children seem to have an innate magnet for sharing precisely when they are not supposed to. Sharing cups, eating utensils, straws, snacks, and any other items that have been near the mouth or other mucous membranes can be a speedy route to the illness highway.

Teach children to avoid sharing items such as the aforementioned, and wash young children's toys frequently with mild soap and warm water.

Professional Care

Another key to having healthy kids is proper medical attention. In addition to receiving medical treatment for illness or emergency care when necessary, children should receive professional preventative care. This includes:

• Necessary Immunization Shots.
• Well Child Check-Ups.
• Semi-Annual or Annual Physical Examinations.
• Preventative Dental Care.
• Vision Screenings.
• Hearing Screens.

For those who do not have medical insurance for their children, there are a number of government programs in place that can help you get the care your children need. This includes Medicaid as well as many other sate programs that will provide assistance or sliding scales.

Preventing Injury for Healthy Kids

Minor injuries are catastrophic enough for young children, but a major injury can lead to infections, cause potential emotional disturbance, and result in major disruptions that are certainly not conducive to healthy kids. It's impossible to prevent every accident, but teaching your child basic safety measures can make a world of difference. Children should be taught basic:

• Bike Safety.
• Street and Traffic Safety.
• Fire Safety.
• Avoiding dangerous items such as guns and knives.
• Sports Safety.
• Water Safety.

For more on keeping your kids safe, visit the Safe Kids Worldwide website.

Kids Emotional Health

Another issue surrounding kids' health is their emotional health. Being a positive parenting, taking time with your children, and planning positive extracurricular activities can help them develop the good self-esteem they need for life long emotional health. There are dozens of books, classes, and other parenting resources available to help you with your child's emotional health. Books like Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages of Children help parents understand the most effective ways to interact and build loving, positive relationship with their children.

More Resources

LoveToKnow Kids offers a plethora of parenting resources to help you on the many aspects of keeping your children healthy kids. Read our informative article on Children's Health for great information on nutrition, sleep, and other health tips. Or browse our homepage, or see these resources for more tips:

• Poison Control Center
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• EPA Children's Health
• Mayo Clinic Health Center for Kids

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