As of today, there are more than 17 million recorded cases of COVID-19 and more than 670,000 deaths, so there is no doubt that the virus should be taken very seriously by people all over the world, no matter their age. While schools have been closed in most countries, parents still need to take certain precautions measures in order to protect the young ones from the new coronavirus.
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Teach and Practice Good Hand Hygiene
One of the best ways of avoiding the infection is to wash your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds, and as often as possible. Teach your children the proper washing technique and length, as they can get bored quickly or not understand the importance of this practice.
Ask them to do so whenever they come home from outside, and whenever they touch money, toys, or other objects that might have been contaminated. Also, teach them to always wash their hands after using the restroom and before every meal (this should have been common sense even before the pandemic).
Also teach them to not touch their eyes, mouth, or nose when the hands are not washed, and to always cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing.
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Teach Them To Use Hand Sanitizers
Hand sanitizers can be very helpful when you are on the road and don’t have access to water and soap, but they are not as effective. So teach your children how to use them and make sure they always have one around when going to school or when using public transportation.
But also inform them that washing their hands with water and soap is more important, and that hand sanitizer should only be used when washing is not possible. Also, teach them to be patient after applying the sanitizer and to wait for a few seconds until it is completely dried.
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Teach Them To Avoid Shaking Hands
While all human contact should be avoided during this period, that’s not entirely possible, and your child will still see his or her friends occasionally. When doing so, teach them to wear a mask (more on this later), to avoid shaking hands, and to always cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing (especially when not having the mask on).
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Ask Them To Leave Shoes and Bags By The Door
When arriving home from school, shopping, or any other outdoor activity that involved human contact, teach them to always leave the shoes and bags at the door, to avoid carrying the virus (or harmful bacteria) into the house.
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Encourage Them To Change Clothes
While the likelihood of having the virus on the clothes is low, this is an extra precaution measure that you can take. When arriving from school or the playground, have the kids change their clothes and throw the dirty ones into the washing machine.
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Avoid High-Risk Family Members
The elderly are the most vulnerable to the new coronavirus and the ones that are more likely to have complications that could lead to death. So it is very important to take precaution measures and avoid contact between children and older members of the family. Inform the kids about the situation and ask them to refrain from hugging or kissing their grandparents in order to protect them.
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Keep Them Active To Boost Their Immunity
A strong and healthy immune system can fight the virus much better or even avoid developing any symptoms at all. In order to reduce anxiety, promote health, and improve their mood, take the kids outside for long walks, hikes, or outdoor workouts. Avoid playgrounds.
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Teach Them To Avoid Crowded Places
It’s important for your children to avoid any crowded places or stores, to always wear a mask indoors, and to practice social distancing as much as possible. Avoid malls, libraries, or crowded public transportation vehicles, especially in areas that have lots of confirmed cases.
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Ask Them To Clean Their Room More Often
While it’s your duty as a parent to keep the entire home clean (especially during the pandemic), you can ask the kids to clean and disinfect their room more often. Also teach them to disinfect areas that are commonly touched by multiple people, such as doorknobs, refrigerator doors, staircase railings, phones, toys, or remote controls. Use alcohol-based sanitizers and allow the surface to fully dry before touching it again.
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Keep Them Away From The News
Most of the news on the TV is creating panic and anxiety, so that’s why it is important to limit your children's screen time. In the evening, instead of watching the news, disconnect from the TV and the internet, and spend some quality time with the family, talking about positive topics and engaging in fun activities.
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Teach Them To Always Wear a Mask Indoors
Wearing a quality mask is by far the best way to protect yourself from getting the virus and also to protect others from getting it from you. The masks need to fit their face perfectly, so not any mask will do the job. But luckily, our masks for children are back in store! Get yours today HERE - Kids Face Mask
