Parents and educators share a common goal—to support their children and students so they reach their full potential and lead fulfilling, successful lives. Parents and teachers can work together to set a positive example for the children around them and make sure they’re practicing healthy habits every day.
Taking the steps at home to encourage healthy habit best practices can help reduce the spread of illness-causing germs in the classroom and in turn, the germs children are bringing home. Here are a few ways to reinforce healthy habits both at home and in the classroom:
Implement the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model
Parents, teachers, and public health communities all have common goals to improve each child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. The CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model is the framework for addressing health in schools and emphasizes the role of the community for support. Family and community involvement in schools is important to the learning, development, and health of students. The WSCC’s unified and collaborative approach is designed to reinforce healthy behaviors—at home, in school, in out-of-school programs, and in the community.
Remember, Germs Travel to and from Home and School
Just as children can bring germs into the classroom, germs can also be transmitted from school to home. Consider your child’s backpack that sits on the school bathroom floor and then on your kitchen countertop, or the classroom door knobs your child touches before using the television remote at home. Instilling cleaning and disinfecting practices at home are just as critical as those that should be practiced in the classroom.
Together, parents and teachers can help minimize the spread of illness-causing germs by reminding kids to wash their hands regularly and using products such as Lysol Disinfecting Wipes on frequently touched surfaces. After all, the places that need the most cleaning are also the places your family spends the most time—whether that’s in the home or in school!
Practice Healthy Habits Education Outside of the Classroom
Lysol offers free healthy habits resources and lesson plans for parents and teachers that can be utilized both at home and in school. Materials range from lesson plans on how germs are transmitted in the classroom to fun activities reminding students of best practices for handwashing and more. Practicing healthy habits with children will help create routines that will become second nature. Visit Lysol.com/HERE to download your resources today.
Parents and educators play a critical role in guiding children towards their full potential by creating environments that support their individual needs and strengths. When children are surrounded by supportive and motivating adults who encourage them to develop healthy habits, they are more likely to adopt these habits themselves and carry them into adulthood.
