| The choice has been made to put your little one | | | | children home that are contagious in order to |
| into child care. What a difficult decision this can be. | | | | protect the other children. If they wash all |
| Each child that spends time in a child care center | | | | surfaces on a frequent basis and take the children |
| is exposed to numerous germs. Prevention is the | | | | outside as often as the weather permits, your |
| key to keeping young children and adults from | | | | child has a better chance of avoiding germs. When |
| catching colds, infections and viruses. Do not | | | | the children are more spread out and exposed to |
| forget that it is important for young children to | | | | fresh air there are fewer germs floating around in |
| develop some colds in order to build up an active | | | | their surroundings. |
| immune system. There are many things that can | | | | Certain foods are germ fighters because they |
| be done to prevent children from attracting too | | | | contain phytonutrients. Such foods are colorful |
| many germs like washing hands, keeping those | | | | fruits and vegetables and foods containing |
| little noses clean and a few other items will be | | | | omega-3 contain this natural germ-fighter. It has |
| mentioned here. | | | | been shown that children who consume a lot of |
| Washing hands often is likely the best | | | | these foods in their diets are healthier. It is |
| preventative measure in fighting germs. In a child | | | | important not to counteract this by giving them |
| care center children share toys, the restroom and | | | | lots of sweet foods and drinks that will lower a |
| often touch each other. We pick up germs and | | | | child's immunity. |
| become infected when we touch our eyes, for | | | | Be sure to take your child to their regular doctor |
| more details visit to mouth or nose with our | | | | checkups and keep their immunizations up to date. |
| hands. Teaching a child to wash their hands | | | | If your child is more prone to certain infections, a |
| frequently and thoroughly is important and can be | | | | doctor will be able to advise you on how to |
| fun. Playing a game about when to wash their | | | | better protect your child. |
| hands can help them remember to do so when | | | | Some of the simplest things that can be done |
| they do not have someone to remind them. | | | | without much thought are to make sure you and |
| Teach them a song to sing while washing their | | | | your child get enough sleep and exercise. This will |
| hands that is longs enough to get the job done. | | | | keep the immune system healthy and active. |
| You can also teach your child to cover their cough | | | | Proper hydration is another simple action of |
| or sneeze with their elbow or sleeve rather than | | | | prevention. At any sign of a stuffy nose, clean it |
| their hands. It is still a good idea to have them | | | | out with saline and a humidifier or steam in order |
| wash their hands after either one. | | | | to keep bad germs out. |
| When choosing a child care facility it is important | | | | Once again, it is healthy for a child to catch a few |
| to review their hygiene policy. Do they encourage | | | | colds, so it is not necessary to go overboard. |
| washing hands before and after mealtime, for | | | | Teach your child ways to prevent catching germs |
| more details visit to after using the bathroom, or | | | | at home and they will remember to do the same |
| handling animals? Be sure to ask if they send | | | | things when they are at their child care center. |