How To Help Kids Stay Healthier This Winter
By Stacy DeBroff – SquidSoap Parenting Expert & Founder of MomCentral.com

As parents, we know as soon as winter comes we fear the cold weather, we want our kids to stay healthy, but kids are also spending more and more time inside watching TV. Hand washing, eating right, keeping active and receiving the latest immunizations and flu shots are steps in the right direction, but getting our kids to do these often becomes a nagging battle. Here are a few tips to stop the battles and teach our kids healthy habits.

Ending Couch Potato Syndrome

Obesity in children increases the more hours they watch TV. That’s why we parents have to take control of the clicker and shut the TV off and get them active. Physical activity improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, and reduces stress. Just like our parents showed us the screen door, we have to get our kids playing outside and engaged in sports, even during the winter months.

The time your child spends plugged-in is time she does not spend exercising her body, expanding her mind, or exploring her environment. For the days when your child’s energy level runs high, look outdoors for entertainment. Start by doing a little research and begin adding dates to your calendar—movie night, weekly concerts, ice skating, indoor pool schedules or impromptu sledding in the backyard. Find out what your community offers kids and take full advantage of it.

Teaching Kids Healthy Hand Washing

The most important 20-second key to good health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says hand washing is one of the most important things children can do to help stay healthy.

• The CDC strongly recommends washing your hands for a full 20 seconds by scrubbing with soap and running water, as cleaner hands means healthier kids.

• SquidSoap by Airborne® has created a fun way to get our kids to do exactly that, without nagging them all day long. It teaches and trains proper hand-washing technique to children ages 3-8.
• Its specially designed pump stamps a child's hand with vegetable dye. It takes 20 seconds of thorough hand washing to remove the ink mark. “Rinse-and-go” no longer counts! 

Nutrition Intuition

We have to give kids nutrition intuition, as eating right will help provide the nutrients needed for energy, to build strong bones, and fight disease. This means choosing fruits and vegetables over junk food, which can be made fun, from veggies served in a dump truck to a “Who can crunch the carrot the loudest?” contest.

There are healthy alternatives for most kinds of food. Be creative and experiment to round out your child’s diet. If your child hates meat, serve proteins through cheese, eggs, fish, tofu or peanut butter. If she won’t touch most vegetables, offer a variety of fruits. You can even disguise healthy foods, by adding pureed carrots to spaghetti sauce, or making zucchini muffins. A daily child’s vitamin also guarantees your child at least some of the nutritional basics, but it does not take the place of healthy eating.

Take Your Best Shot

Flu season is upon us, so check with your pediatrician about getting a flu shot for your child, along with ensuring that vaccinations are up to date as they prevent infectious diseases. Keeping up with the latest in immunizations is an important way to make sure they stay healthy. Routine exams and screenings help you and your kids prevent, identify and treat health problems when they arise. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives.

However, even before routine office visits, think through questions and observations you have ahead of time. Make sure you fully understand your pediatrician’s concerns, advice or prescription instructions before you walk out of the office. Ask as many questions as you need in order to clarify things. You know your child best and can serve as his most passionate advocate.