As we leave winter behind and start seeing hints of spring, it’s important to make sure children stay healthy during changing seasons. While we still experience chilly mornings and nights, this is the time to dress the little ones up in layers, so they can adapt to the changing temperatures throughout the day. To ramp up their immune system, it’s also important to feed them nutritious meals and reinforce hygiene practices.
Layers, layers, layers
Each child is different, so they will each experience weather differently, some may love Summer and hate Winter or vice versa. The most important thing is to ensure that your child is comfortable in any weather condition.
As the weather in Sydney currently reaches lows of 8˚C at night time it is really important to make sure that your child wears thicker material pajamas or long length pajamas, either way, if the body is fully covered and there is sufficient winter bedding provided there is no need to worry.
In terms of day wear, it is beneficial for children to wear lighter clothes underneath warmer jumpers, so they can remove or add layers as the temperature rises and lowers – but make sure they are comfortable and can move around even with all layers on!
Water and Vitamins
In the drier winter air, children tend to lose water through their breath and can become very dehydrated as a result. On top of that, in cold weather, the body’s thirst response is diminished by up to 40% even when dehydrated (i). With Spring just around the corner and the temperature rising during the day, children will also lose water through sweat, so it is extremely important that they stay hydrated.
To get children excited about water, maybe try adding strawberry slices or mint leaves for a bit of flavor, or turn this into a game; for example, you can make goal lines on a water bottle like shown in the picture.
Make sure your little one is eating healthy foods, and include extra fruits and veggies to maximise their vitamin intake. If they are very picky eaters, it might be a good idea to feed them some vitamin gummies and lollies during this time.
Be very thorough with hygiene
From a very early age, children must know the correct hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. At Beverly Hills Montessori Christian Long Day Care, we know the importance of good hand washing techniques, especially in the changing seasons. Winter is flu season and Spring aggravates allergies, so it’s very important that hands are washed and if the case arises where they can’t be, hand sanitizer is a must.
If the situation occurs where your child gets sick with a cold or flu, it’s required that you keep your child at home during the time that they are sick. If you would like a copy of the World Health Organizations hand washing guide here is the link.
At Beverly Hills Montessori Christian Long Day Care, we take health and safety measures very seriously – we always ensure our centre is a clean and safe environment for children to learn and develop. If you’re interested in finding out more about what we prioritize please visit our Contact Us page or book in for a Tour.
