Winter Wellness Guide: Supporting Immune Systems in Young Children
Hey Reader!
“Jesus and germs are everywhere!” This time of year seems especially “germ-heavy” doesn’t it? We’ve compiled a few resources that we hope are beneficial for you AND for the families you serve as we all try to optimize children’s immune systems. We hope you’ll share some of these resources with your families as well!
- Food choices are important. If young children are eating lots of processed or sugar-laden foods, their bodies will build up inflammation which leads to more instances of illness. I recently came across this list of 7 Foods to Boost Immunity of Toddlers provided by an urgent care organization that you might want to share with the parents in your program.
- Sleep and rest help our bodies recover. This quote is from an article on the Texas Children’s Hospital website: “When you sleep, the body restores and repairs itself. It’s also vital in battling illness. So make sure your children are getting enough sleep. Those deprived of sleep are without a doubt more prone to germs and viruses.” (article link)
- Regular physical activity keeps our lungs healthier! This research study (highly academic paper that most parents won’t want to read) found that preschool-aged children who get regular vigorous physical activity are less likely to contract an upper respiratory tract infection and when they do get sick, it is typically shorter in duration than children who are less active. Keep those children running, climbing, jumping, and crawling to help keep their lungs healthy – even when it’s cold outside. THIS article has a great coat-flip trick to help even toddlers put on their own coats! Check it out!
- Wash your hands! Did you know the CDC actually as downloadable and printable resources like social media posts, posters, and stickers that you can easily share with your students and their families! We probably all do a great job within our programs of washing hands all day, but sometimes we just need a a cute sign to remind us (or the children in our care) about the appropriate ways to wash our hands! HERE is a link for you!
Need another resource for yourself or the parents in your program? HERE is a short (15-minute) Youtube video from Dr. Amy – a pediatrician – who shares some of these same tips but in podcast/video format.
While much of this common sense, do we actually do it? I know I needed the reminder for myself to get out there and go for a walk for my lungs’-sake (as well as my dog’s sake)! What are you doing to keep the little sweeties in your classroom healthy? Reply and let us know!
Cheering you on this week!
-Your ECCN team
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
