School Health Week is from 4 to 8 March, and it is a reminder that we should all be teaching our children healthy lifestyle habits. The CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) has developed a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model to improve learning and health in all schools. The model is based on the following principals.
Health Education
Education on the following basic personal hygiene principals can help fight the germs to prevent illness:
• Teach children to always cover their coughs and sneezes by using the crook of their arm if they don’t have a tissue. This will prevent the germs from getting onto their hands and surfaces and spreading them to other children via their hands.
• Germs can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth and it is important to teach children to keep their hands away from their eyes, mouth and nose. • They should not share water bottles and food.
• To wash their hands regularly (especially before eating).
• Promote physical activity to prevent obesity.
• Eating a healthy balanced diet.
• Sleep between 6 and 8 hours per night or more.
Source: People Magazine and Occupational Care South Africa
Other ways you can keep your kids healthy at home:
• Make sure they follow a healthy eating plan and pack them a healthy lunch every day
• Keep them as active as possible
• Be a good role model when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle
• Take them for their regular check-ups and get recommended immunisations
• Keep junk foods to a minimum
• Make sure they drink water every day
• Keep them away from smokers
• Do not send them to school if they are sick
• Keep stress to a minimum