Germs can be found all around us, especially in schools , as they can easily spread from one child to another . Here are just a few ways germs can be picked up at school:
Through the air – If an infected child talks, sneezes, or coughs they can release germs into the air, which other children can then breathe in.
Through touch– Germs can contaminate common surfaces in schools, such as door handles, toys that children play with, and desks. These can then be transferred into a child’s body if they touch their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
Through eating – Eating food that is contaminated with germs, for example, if it hasn’t been stored correctly or has been touched with unwashed hands, or placed on a contaminated surface can cause stomach bugs.
The importance of hand washing
One of the best ways to help protect children from spreading germs is to encourage them to wash their hands with soap and water.
Teaching your children how to wash their hands properly is just as important too. A simple trick you can teach them is to wash their hands for the same duration it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice (about 40 seconds).
You can also get them to follow these simple steps:
Wet their hands with clean water (make sure the water isn’t too hot).
Get them to lather soap into their palms for around 20 seconds.
Teach them to clean in-between their fingers, on the back of their hands, and under their nails where germs like to collect. Don’t forget the back of the wrists too.
Finally, encourage them to rinse their hands and dry them with a clean towel or cloth.
Hygiene wipes, such as WaterWipes, are also an excellent way of keeping kids’ hands clean.
How do you teach kids not to spread germs?
Talking to your children about how germs spread and teaching them the importance of washing their hands can help them adopt good hygiene practices. Getting them to cover their mouth when they cough, or sneeze can also help keep germs at bay.
Why do kids get sick so often at school?
Children can encounter a variety of germs at school, which can easily spread from one child to another. For example, if one of their peers is sick and coughs or sneezes into their air, it can land on surfaces or can be breathed in by other children.
How can I prevent my child from getting sick at school?
To help prevent your child from getting sick at school, it’s important to teach them good hygiene habits. This includes teaching them to wash their hands regularly and properly. You can also put hygiene wipes or hand sanitiser in their school bag to help keep them protected on the go.
