Winter Fun…
As we approach the winter season, it becomes important to keep our children healthy, warm and protected. Despite the short and dark days, you can choose to make winters an interesting time for your child. Infact, the calmer winter months provide an excellent opportunity to slow down and bond with your family. Here are some ideas for keeping your child healthy, happy and active, this winter-
- Keep them cozy: When sending children to school or to play outdoors, make sure that they are dressed warmly in layers that are wind and waterproof. Opt for wool instead of cotton, as it is an excellent insulator that will help keep them dryer and warmer. Also, help your child stay warm with adequate head, face, hands and neck protection with woolen caps, gloves, scarves etc.
- Cover them right:Winter wear should fit children properly, but it shouldn’t be so tight that it restricts movement. This is particularly true for footwear as well because tight boots restrict blood flow, causing feet to become even colder.
- Maintain care against sunrays: Although adequate sun exposure is considered good for boosting immunity in children during winters, it is still important to protect your child’s sensitive skin from sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays by using a sunscreen
- Be ready to play inside: At times, extreme cold weather restricts active outdoor play activities. Therefore, it becomes important to provide indoor games or projects like brain games, board games, art & craft activities etc. so as to keep the children creatively engaged rather than watching TV all day long.
- Serve nutritious snacks:Good nutrition plays a very important role in strengthening the immunity of our body. Therefore, supplement your child’s food with necessary vitamins, minerals and antioxidant that are vital to boost the body defense mechanism. Vitamin C in particular, is known to be very effective in fighting germs and is also known to prevent cold. It can be found in green leafy vegetables, berries, citrus fruits, guavas, tomatoes, melons, papayas etc. Also try dried fruits as they are packed with a lot of nutrition and provide instant energy.
- Keep them hydrated: Although your child may not be sweating as much as he/she does in warm-weather months, he/she still needs to stay hydrated. Have him/her drink plenty of warm water throughout the day, or serve him/her hot soups of all kinds like tomato soup, spinach soup, vegetable soup etc.
With these suggestions, celebrate the spirit of togetherness with your child and family &make this winter safe, cozy and fun!
