At Educational Playcare, we take the health of our students and their families very seriously, which is why Wellness is one of our Core Values. Here are 3 ways to stay healthy this winter: 
- Wash Up! Keeping your hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps families can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teaching people about hand washing reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21%. At Educational Playcare, educating our students and families on handwashing best practices was so important to us, we launched our very own initiative called Wash Up! By visiting our Wash Up page, families can learn more about the importance of handwashing and how to properly wash their hands through our information packet, books they can read to their children, and songs to sing with their children while they wash their hands.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Staying hydrated is crucial, especially in winter when the air is drier. Because of the dry air, a child will lose more water through their breath. While they are outside playing, make sure that they are often drinking water or a warm drink. After a bit a play, families might also consider soup for lunch or dinner, which helps them warm up and fills up their tummies.
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children are far less capable of regulating their body temperature in comparison to adults. Even a one degree drop in body temperature weakens a child’s defenses against illnesses and viruses. This can also make children prone to hypothermia. Since small children lose heat faster than adults and are much more likely to not realize that they are cold or that they need to add additional layers, it is up to their families to be aware and defend them against the conditions.
Families should always be aware of the weather forecast. Knowing what the weather will look like throughout the day allows them to properly dress their child or provide them with additional clothing and accessories they may need to protect them against the elements and changing weather. When in doubt: layer! Layering allows flexibility to adjust to changing weather conditions or activities. When it comes to layering, it is essential to remember that it is not only important to stay warm but to stay dry as well. And don’t forget the smaller clothing items, such as hats, scarves, and gloves. They are just as important in keeping your child protected and warm.
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