The holiday season is exciting for students, parents and the broader school community, but it may also be challenging to remain productive and prioritize healthy habits. With so many celebrations around the corner, it’s vital we continue to remind our children to wash their hands and cover coughs and sneezes this time of year. The last thing any parent wants is for illness to ruin the joy children feel as they spend these special moments with loved ones!
During the coming months, consider the below reminders ensure students prioritize their physical and mental health leading up to winter break and the holiday season:
1. Encourage Active Activities
Physical health among children is important. While colder weather can limit outdoor activities, it is still important to encourage physical activity, especially when indulging with treats around the holiday season. Alongside cozy time indoors, consider still going outside to engage in winter activities like playing in the snow or going ice skating. If you are unable to go outside, enroll them in an indoor winter sport, like basketball, to keep them active, while still having fun.
2. Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
Before hosting or attending any gatherings, be sure to pay attention to high-tough surfaces. Spending time together with loved ones also means introducing more germs to the space, so disinfecting those areas is vital. You can also support your teachers by providing disinfecting products to help keep the classroom clean as a thoughtful holiday gift. These supplies, like Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria from high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and remotes when used as directed.
3. Provide a Balanced Diet
While it’s always fun to eat fun and delicious holiday food, it’s important to try and incorporate a variety of food groups into those special meals, offering your children essential nutrients to keep them energized and satisfied during all the celebrations. The CDC recommends that children aged two and older follow a healthy eating pattern that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, oils, and a variety of protein-rich foods[1]. This winter, try including some in season products into meals like apples, brussels sprouts, carrots, or pears!
4. Unplug During Winter Break
Winter break gives children more free time, but parents should encourage them to unplug from school and electronics. While it is fun to watch holiday movies or think about going back to school, try to encourage other activities, like reading and crafting, that help children fully unplugged and able to recharge.
[1] CDC.org, “Childhood Nutrition Facts”
