The winter months brings a lot of great seasonal experiences. The holidays, extra family time, festive celebrations, and snow in some regions. Unfortunately, the cooler months can also bring more runny noses, coughs, colds, and minor illnesses
The spread of germs is inevitable this time of year but being proactive helps! Learning Care Group, the parent company of our community of schools, has many policies and procedures in place to keep schools clean and to help combat any illnesses that may arise.
- Classrooms are cleaned daily with a 3-step sanitation process to ensure the effective disinfecting of surfaces.
- Our schools implements handwashing procedures to ensure children, teachers, staff, and visitors all wash their hands frequently using best practices.
- Our child illness procedure ensures we maintain the healthiest environment possible. For more severe illnesses, we follow steps to minimize exposure to any contagious symptoms.
You can help reduce the spread of common wintertime illnesses by doing these 4 things at home:
Wash, wash, wash!
Washing your child’s hands regularly is the easiest way to keep germs away. Make handwashing fun by singing a silly song, using colorful or scented soaps, or turning it into a game. Play Simon Says to call out various parts of your child’s hands as they scrub.
Allow extra time to rest.
Slowing down and providing opportunities for your child to rest and recharge their bodies will keep them feeling healthy and energized. Snuggling up to read a book or doing a puzzle together are both great ways to relax while continuing to bond.
Get outside.
Even on cooler days, spending time outside in the fresh air can help reduce illness and encourage gross motor development. Go sledding, build a snowman, or try a new type of exercise together. Zumba is a great way to make exercising fun and different. Whatever you do, just keep moving!
Eat healthy meals and snacks.
Filling children’s bodies with healthy foods helps to keep them feeling energized and provides them with the vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy immune system. Soup season supports that mission deliciously. Cozy up with a warm, hearty bowl of this recipe:
Toddler recipe: Mild Split Pea & Spinach Dhal – Serves 2-4
Ingredients:
- 175g yellow split peas
- ½ tbsp coconut oil
- 1 small onion
finely chopped
- 1 fat garlic clove
crushed
- ½ tsp yellow mustard seeds
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 1 ½ tsp mild curry powder
- 50g unsalted cashew nuts
chopped
- 1 very low salt vegetable stock cube
(we used Kallo)
- 100g frozen chopped spinach
- plain yogurt
pitta bread or rice, to serve
Directions:
step 1
Soak the yellow split peas in a bowl of water for 20 mins. Rinse thoroughly in a few changes of water.
step 2
Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan. Cook the onion for 5-10 mins, stirring from time to time until softened and starting to caramelise. Add the garlic and spices and cook for a further 1-2 mins allowing the aromas to release.
step 3
Pulse the cashews in a food processor into fine pieces – make sure you do this well so that there is no risk of choking. Add the split peas and cashews to the pan, then pour in enough water to cover it by a few cms. Crumble in the veg stock cube. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 1hr or until the split peas are tender, stirring from time to time. If they start to look a little dry, add in more water as needed during the cooking. Stir through the frozen chopped spinach and once the dhal is hot throughout, serve with a dollop of yogurt on top, pitta or brown rice.
Remember, children are resilient! Although most minor, seasonal illnesses are inconvenient and common, you can reduce their frequency and severity while supporting faster recovery time by practicing these healthy habits at home—during the winter and all year long. Stay well!