Day care centers ensure that children wash their hands throughout the day to prevent germs from spreading. However, since toddlers tend to sneeze and cough freely, germs are bound to spread. As a parent, there are a few steps that you can take to help keep your kid—and surrounding kids—healthy and happy. Below are ways to help your little one overcome this cold and flu season.  

A Guide to Cold & Flu Prevention at Day Care

Teach Them to Not Pass Germs

Of course, your child would not knowingly want to pass germs and make their day care friends sick. You can teach them certain hygiene habits like how to wash their hands correctly, how to sneeze or cough without spreading germs, and how to blow their nose and throw away the tissue when they’re done.

You can make this a fun and memorable lesson by singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to show them how long they should wash their hands. Place a small pack of tissues in their backpack and put stickers on it so they can remember to use it when necessary. 

Disinfect Your Home & Car

Eliminate the germs in your home by wiping down surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, and toilet seats. Use bleach-based products for communal spots—such as refrigerator handles and cabinet knobs—to kill any bacteria that are lingering on the surface. Wipe down these areas at least twice a week to reduce germs from spreading.

It’s also wise to keep disinfecting wipes in your car to regularly clean the steering wheel, door handles, and any other areas that might have an abundance of germs, such as buttons on the radio. Keep tissues in your car as well to prevent passengers from spreading cold and flu germs.  

Feed Them a Healthy Diet

Providing meals and snack options that are packed with fruits and vegetables will give your child the nutrients they need for a strong immune system. For example, spinach will boost your child’s immune system and provide antioxidants since it’s packed with vitamins C and E. If your child dislikes these leafy greens, you can toss them into a fruit smoothie with strawberries to mask the taste. 

Also, make sure your child is drinking plenty of water. Water will thin the mucus, so it’s easier for your child to cough or blow their nose, so they don’t become congested and get an infection. 

Make sure your little one is healthy and happy when they’re headed to day care. The team at Carrier Learning Center, located in Bristol, CT, provides quality education and care for toddlers during their stay in the center. They focus on enhancing cognitive and social skills, as well as helping little ones develop emotional and physical abilities. To learn more about their teachers, visit their website or call (860) 589-3000 to set up a meeting.