The new school year is almost here and you’re probably wondering how to keep your child healthy when they return to the classroom. After all, school is full of excitement but also increases exposure to germs. We know that helping your kids stay strong and healthy is one of your top priorities, and we’re here to help by offering some tips to support their wellness and boost their immunity.

Healthy Tips & Practices

When you look at your little one’s needs from a holistic viewpoint, it can help you realize that their physical, mental, emotional, and social needs all play a role in keeping them healthy. Here are just a few tips to get you started.

1) Teach them good hygiene practices.

When you teach your kids good hygiene practices, they learn to take care of their needs all on their own. Healthy practices include doing the vampire sneeze (sneezing into your elbow), using tissues instead of hands for wiping and blowing their nose, and washing their hands regularly with warm water and soap.

2) Encourage healthy food choices.

You prep meals for your little ones with thought and care, but what about your own food? Kids often learn by watching the habits of people around them. Showing them you appreciate a balanced meal with whole grains, green veggies and lean protein will influence their food choices. Foods rich in vitamin C and zinc support the immune system, such as chicken, nuts and oranges.

3) Where food is not enough, supplements can help.

If your child is a fussy eater or requires a specialized diet, you know the struggle of trying to keep them nourished. Supplements designed specifically to support your child’s health can be a great addition to their diet, like vitamin C and zinc which help support a healthy immune system.

4) Prioritize sleep.

Sleep is a fundamental aspect of health. Lack of sleep can affect your little one’s physical and mental health. The CDC says that as many as six in 10 middle schoolers don’t get enough sleep. Children aged six to 12 need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep at night, while teenagers aged 13 to 18 need about 8 to 10 hours.

What if your kid has a hard time going to sleep? Here are some tips that might help:

• Have your little one wake up and go to sleep at the same time each day
• Don’t feed kids close to bedtime
• Get your kids moving during the day
• Prepare the bedroom by quieting down noise, cooling the room, removing electronics, and turning off the lights

5) Help them cope with stress.

Stress isn’t just for adults, kids and teenagers can experience it too. Children who experience prolonged or toxic stress may start having trouble learning at school, forming healthy relationships, trusting adults, or begin exhibiting unhealthy behaviors. Some signs to watch out for include:

• Behavioral changes
• Lack of self-regulation and increased irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Getting more sick than usual

The American Psychological Association recommends a few things to help your kids cope with stress. For one, make time to listen to your child talk out their feelings in a safe and trusting environment. Second, take them out for a walk in nature, as studies suggest that green nature helps lessen feelings of stress. Another thing that may help is journaling as an outlet for your kids to share their feelings free of judgment.

Healthy Child = Happy Child

We know that helping your child feel their healthiest is your top priority. KAL values family and heritage, and we design supplements to help support your child’s wellness, like our Immuno-Raptor™ dinosaur-shaped chewables filled with immune-supporting nutrients like vitamin C and zinc.

Since 1932, KAL has focused on finding healthy solutions to support your family’s health and wellness. That is our top priority. Supporting you support your family so you can make every moment better with the ones you love.