As students wave goodbye to summer’s long late nights, Island Health is offering a few tips for parents to help ensure the return to the classroom is a smooth transition.
Helping children get a strong and healthy start by encouraging exercise, limiting screen time and ensuring proper sleep habits are key, Dr. Dee Hoyano, medical health officer for Island Health said in a statement. Every child needs 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day, in addition to a couple of hours of less intense activity, such as walking to school, riding a bike or playing in the playground. Screen time should be limited to two hours a day as well, Hoyano stressed.
Elementary and middle school students require nine to 11 hours of sleep a night, while high school students need eight to 10 hours. (Adults can only fantasize about that kind of sleep) Ensuring your child’s room is calm, dark and comfortable helps encourage a solid night’s sleep. Take phones and devices out of their bedrooms while they are sleeping. (a great way to initiate an argument that could last all night)
The best way to ward off common illnesses like colds, flu, strep throat, respiratory viruses and many other ailments is by washing your hands properly. In addition to washing hands before and after meals, kids should wash them after gym classes, playing outdoors and immediately after returning from school or other outings.