Kids Care Tips

Lead a child through a breathing exercise:

1. “Let’s practice a different way of breathing that can help calm our bodies down.
2. Put one hand on your stomach, like this [demonstrate].
3. , we are going to breathe in through our noses. When we breathe in, we are going to fill up with a lot of air and our stomachs are going to stick out like this [demonstrate].
4. Then, we will breathe out through our mouths. When we breathe out, our stomachs are going to suck in and up like this [demonstrate].
5. We are going to breathe in really slowly while I count to three. I’m also going to count to three while we breathe out really slowly.
6. Let’s try it together. Great job!”
7. Tell a story where the child helps you imitate a character who is taking deep breaths.
8. Blow bubbles with a bubble wand and dish soap.
9. Blow bubbles with chewing gum.
10. Blow paper wads or cotton balls across the table.

Mosquito Safety For Kids

Mosquitoes and their bites can be annoying but rarely do they cause significant illnesses,unless they behave as “vectors,” conveying microorganisms that actually live within these mosquitoes. For instance West Nile virus is a disease spread by a mosquito.

Insect Bites Treatment: Self-Care at Home

1. If there is only redness and pain at the site of the bite, application of ice is adequate treatment.
2. Clean the area with soap and water to remove contaminated particles left behind by some insects – such as mosquitoes. These particles may further contaminate the wound if not removed.
3. Refrain from scratching because this may cause the skin to break down and an infection to form.
4. Parents may treat itching at the site of the bite with an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in cream or liquid form or Calamine lotion to help relieve itching.
5. Children who have a history of severe reactions to bites or stings may have been prescribed an anaphylaxis kit and used according to the doctor’s instructions.

Prevention

Avoid outdoor activity during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are out. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats to minimize the areas of exposed skin. Shirts should be tucked in.

Pre-School Tips

Start daily routines. Begin an earlier bedtime several weeks before school starts. Lay out clothes the night before.

Prepare a healthy breakfast each morning. Allow them to become involved in packing a healthy lunch.

Dress appropriately for school, including shoes that he/she can run and play in (no flip flops!).

If your child has fever (greater than 100.4), cough, or other signs of illness, keep them home until symptom free for 24 hours to prevent others from becoming ill.

Cough or sneeze into a tissue or shirt sleeve – not into hands.

Wash hands before eating, after using the restroom and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Fight the flu! Have your child immunized against seasonal flu in early fall and pandemic H1N1 flu when that vaccination becomes available.

Contact your physician for an check with your child care center if your child needs medication at school.

Provide current emergency contact information to your child’s school or child care center.

Get health insurance information for your children from your center/school Nurse.