Keeping the Sniffles at Bay with Your Preschoolers

Anyone who has young kids in school knows how difficult the winter months can be. It seems inevitable that your child will come home with a runny nose at some point. With the way the world has changed due to the pandemic, this could require you to run out for a COVID-19 test and might mean that your child has to miss school for some time.

But thankfully there are ways to prevent this from happening repeatedly. Let’s look at how to keep the sniffles away for your preschooler at school.

Take them to the pediatrician

Before school starts, have your child go for a check-up with their doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide sound advice on developmental stages, all necessary vaccinations and preventative actions you can take to prevent cold and flu.

Don’t forget to make copies of all vaccination forms. You will be required to submit these to enroll at most preschools.

Practice good hygiene

You can support your child’s health by teaching good hygiene practices to avoid viruses, bacteria and parasites. This includes regular handwashing, regular bathing and using hand sanitizer. If your child is comfortable with wearing a face mask, this may have benefits as well.

Eat a healthy diet

When your body has the nutrients it needs, it will be more effective at fighting germs. That means you want to feed your children a diet focused on fruits and vegetables. If your child isn’t the biggest fan of these foods, look for fun ways to incorporate them into their diet. For example, ants on a log is a classic way to bring in some fruits and vegetables. You also want to make sure your child is consuming enough water both at home and in school.

How to know when to keep your child home from school

Let’s say you’ve tried all these preventative efforts, but your child has still caught something. You’ll first want to check your school’s policies on when to keep them home. If your child has a cough, a fever or a sore throat, these are considered COVID-19 symptoms and may require a quarantine period.

You may also have to fill out a health form to return to school that includes questions on your child and family’s health. It’s important to be honest in these questionnaires to maintain the health and safety of everyone at the school.

If it’s confirmed your child has a cold or the flu, they’ll likely be able to return to school when they’re feeling better. In cases where your child is under the weather for more than 10 days, they could have a sinus or ear infection. You’ll want to schedule an appointment with the pediatrician to see if this is the case.

For nearly 40 years, Assumption Academy has been serving the community’s families, offering a warm, supportive learning environment for children ages two to six years old. Call us today to learn more about our programs that focus on outdoor learning and exploration.