Page 44 - Education February 2022 final_Neat

not advisable but daily 10-15 minutes of exercises
like stretching or brisk walking should be instilled.
Exercises like cycling, jumping ropes or swimming
should be encouraged in kids.

6. Let your kids eat their own lunch
Teach your kids not to share lunch with anyone at
school. Sharing lunches is the most common way
of transferring germs. Besides parents, even school
authorities should make it mandatory to not allow
kids to share lunch with other kids.

7. Don’t force your kid
If your child isn’t hungry, then don’t force your
child to eat more. Don’t even bribe him by giving 11. Fix a doctor’s appointment to avoid 17. Limit screen time
him certain foods just to clear his plate. This will
just make him frustrated or make him struggle just problems Encourage your child to participate and engage
to finish the food. Instead, serve small portions and Make sure your child visits a pediatrician and a in activities other than sitting in front of the PC
let your kid ask independently for more food if he dentist regularly. The biggest fear in kids is tooth and TV. Limit screen time so that your child is
wants. decay and it can be dangerous too, because it can active and doesn’t bear the risk of increasing body
lead to brain or blood infections later in life. Hence, fat. Apart from being fit, your child will also be
8. Don’t make exercise boring to avoid a mess, visit a pediatrician and a dentist protected from the harmful effects of the screen.
to keep major problems at bay.
It is really a task to make your kids exercise every 18. Oral health is a must
day. Hence, don’t stick to the regular exercise
mode like stretching. Besides stretching and 12. A well balanced diet will preserve Teach your kids to brush at least twice daily with a
workouts, there are different modes of exercise good health good fluoride toothpaste to maintain oral health.
which are fun like dancing, gardening and playing Include a nice well balanced diet in your child’s Ask your child to avoid nibbling foods all day long
basketball. Choose the exercise which your child eating habits. Foods like green leafy vegetables, and avoid intake of any food after brushing your
likes - not the one that you like. omega 3 fatty fishes and fruits are good for a teeth at bedtime.
child’s mental and physical health. Your child
should neither be too thin nor too fat. All this can 19. Playtime is crucial
be achieved when your child shares dinner with Let your child plays and runs around before
the family and when the television is switched off.
beginning homework. More play will increase their
chances of scoring high marks and staying fit later
13. Water is crucial in life as well.
Besides good food, water is also essential for a
child’s healthy lifestyle. Parents should encourage 20. Get enough sunlight
their kids to drink at least 5-9 glasses of filtered Make sure your child gets enough sunlight in
water every day. In order to avoid interference with order to be healthy and fit. Sunlight is the natural
digestion, your child shouldn’t drink liquids with way of fighting against germs. Enough sunlight
meals. In fact drink water or herbal tea in between will strengthen your child’s bones and prevent
meals.
osteoporosis later in life. Sunlight can make your
9. Sleep is important child happy, convert cholesterol into vitamin D,
The most important issue for kids is to get enough 14. Sneezing and coughing etiquette reduce body fat and boost the immune system.
sleep. It is very essential that your young kid gets Show your children the right manner of sneezing
at least 10 to 11 hours of a good night›s sleep. to avoid germ transfer. Teach your kids to cough or
If your child doesn’t get good sleep, then there are sneeze into tissue or inside of the elbow. Ask them
to not use hands and dispose the tissue soon after
high chances that your child will doze off at the use.
desk, not pay attention in class and come home
exhausted and irritated. Besides, a regular sleeping
pattern makes sure that your child enjoys some 15. Vaccinate your child
quiet time without television before his bedtime. Vaccination will help your child combat various
preventable diseases. Check with your doctor and
10. School bags shouldn’t be heavy get a timely schedule vaccination according to
School bags are the most important part of your child’s age, health and vaccines available.
a school kid’s life. While buying a school bag,
parents should pick a wide bag with cushion 16. Avoid sharing personal items with
shoulder straps and cushioned back. your kids
The bag should not be too heavy as this will strain Set up personal items for everyone in the family
your child’s back. While packing the bag, keep like razors, towels, nail clippers, scissors etc. to
heavier items in the centre and the weight of the avoid germ transfer. Teach your kids to use their
bag should not be more than 10-15 percent of items and how sharing these items will lead to
your child’s body weight. And ensure that your problems. Also, teach them the importance of
kids carry the bag on both the shoulders to avoid keeping their uniform, shoes and personal items
muscle strain. clean.

44 EDUCATION
DURING THE PANDEMIC