The sniffles, fevers and coughs that come with cold and flu season are never fun for parents and children alike. Typically these symptoms start making regular appearances in late fall and the season itself can last into March. The good news is that there are simple things you and your family can do to protect yourselves against unwanted germs.
The following cold-and-flu-dodging strategies work well for all ages – from toddlers to grandparents and everyone between!
- Brush up on hand-washing. Good old-fashioned hand-washing can make all the difference. It effectively limits the spread of illness and viruses, especially during the season when noses are running, coughs are common, and there are generally more germs around. Practice and encourage your little one to wash his hands regularly, like before and after meals, after using the restroom, and after playing outside! Remember to teach your family these hand-washing tips:
- Use soap with warm, running water
- Rub hands together vigorously
- Be sure to wash all surfaces, including wrists, under fingernails, and the back of your hands
- Rinse well and dry hands
- Cover coughs correctly. Teaching your child to cover her cough is great, but go one step further and make sure she doesn’t use her hands. Together, spend time practicing to cover coughs with your arms – a habit that will help keep germs off her hands and prevent them from spreading to others!
- Limit contact. Especially during cold and flu season, try to limit your family’s exposure to people who have flu-like symptoms. This can be easier said than done since the flu can often look like the common cold, but try to avoid close contact whenever possible. Also, make sure family members stay home from work, school or child care when they’re sick.
- Get the vaccine. Flu is not something to be taken lightly, and the flu vaccine continues to be the best available preventive measure for protecting against it. That’s why the latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics are for everyone 6 months and older to get their annual flu shot as soon as it becomes available.
For more information about the flu and current flu vaccine recommendations, see the American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren website and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Flu.gov and Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine.
Parent Reviews - "We feel like our children are always happy and excited to go to school each day!""
moreReady for Spring Cleaning? Get your Child Involved!
moreIn Good (and Clean) Hands: Considerations for Children's Safe Return to Child Care
moreIn Good (and Clean) Hands: Considerations for Children's Safe Return to Child Care
moreThe Power of Puppet Play in Child Development
moreJoin our Caring and Giving Virtual Donation
moreJoin our Caring and Giving Virtual Donation
more Exhausted from the election? These pre-K and kindergarten voters may brighten your mood. ÂÂ
moreNeed Some New Books in Your Mix? Check out Og's Story Time Book List
moreParent Review - "During this whole epidemic they have done everything they could ....."
moreOnline with Og, Exploring Land Transportation!
moreBuilding Social, Emotional and Academic Growth, Amidst a Pandemic
moreOnline with Og at Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreJoin Primrose's Online Curriculum with Og the bookworm!
moreStory time book list
moreComplimentary Primrose Schools Online Weekly Curriculum!
moreParent Review - "We Love Primrose School of Ken Caryl!"
moreMore than just a cute puppet..
moreLet go of "Parent Guilt"
moreDe-Stressing and Spending Quality Time with Your Kids
more6 Ways to Help Your Preschooler Make Friends
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreIt's Hot Out There! Summer Skin Care Tips for Your Child
moreHow Working Parents Stay Connected with Their Kids During the Summer
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePrimrose Reviews from Real Moms
moreDo you have a "Threenager"? Confessions from the Mom of a Threenager
moreBattle Bedwetting with These 4 Tips!
moreKid-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes & Crafts
moreParent Testimonial
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHow Primrose Differs from Montessori
moreCelebrate Back to School with these 5 Crafts & Activities!
more5 Family Staycation Ideas!
moreParent Review of Primrose School of Ken Caryl
more5 Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July at Home
moreParent Review of Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreMy Kid is Turning into a Bully! How Do I Stop it?
moreDon't Pass the Phone: 7 Alternatives to Screen Time
moreOne Size Does Not Fit All - Tips for Raising Siblings by Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreYelp & FB - Parent Reviews of Primrose Ken Caryl
moreStraight from the Source: Why Moms Love SwimLabs Littleton
moreParent Reviews of The Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHow to Ask About Your Child's Art
moreParent Testimonials
moreHow to Survive Toddler Tantrums - Pointers for Parents
moreReturning to Work After Maternity Leave
moreParent Review Primrose School of Ken Caryl - YELP
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHoliday Gift Guide for Ages 0-5
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreKid-Friendly Thanksgiving Decorations & Crafts
moreHow to Handle Food Allergies During Trick-or-Treating
more4 Simple Ways to Protect Your Family Against Cold & Flu Season
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePrep Step: What to Pack in Case of a Disaster?
moreParent Facebook Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePositive Parenting Tips and Scripts
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreFacebook Parent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreSnacktivity 101 - Healthy and quick Banana Fruit Sushi
morePreschool Classrooms at the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePrimrose School of Ken Caryl - Highly Recommended
moreHow to Prepare Your Child For Riding a Bike
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
more4 Reasons Why Reading to Babies is Beneficial
moreStart Your Child's Story the Right Way
more5 Ways to Involve Your Child in Household Chores
moreParent Review - The Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreThe Power of Toddler Compliments
more