Coronavirus Spread: Tips To Protect Your Kids And How To Manage Their Schedule With Shutdown Of Schools

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, schools and colleges have been shut and kids are staying at home. You can take this as an opportunity to improve your bonding with your child. Ensuring that they have activities to do and they are physically active as well.

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Coronavirus spread has resulted in a lockdown in as many 75 districts across the country. According to many doctors, some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.

The symptoms have been quite similar with the viral flu, Fever, dry cough and shortness of breath are considered as major three symptoms of coronavirus. In severe cases, the infection may cause pneumonia and respiratory issues.

Coronavirus cases have touched down to 349,969 in the world and in India it has risen up to 415 positive cases. It is important to look after your kids as they may be feeling low because of the lockdown.

Kids of every age have different things which makes them occupied, and schools being shut at this point is directing towards loss of study and time.

In this article, we are going to talk about tips to take care of kids amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

How to protect them from coronavirus:

You as a parent can encourage your child to stop the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19 by explaining to them what they can do and why they have to do it.

1. Ask them to wash there hands frequently

Kids usually play and never wash their hands. This is the right time to teach them the benefits of washing their hands. In this scenario it is important to stay clean and hygienic.

2. Ask them to practice social distancing

Children have an evening time when they go out and play but at this crucial stage you cannot allow them to do so. Staying at home and avoiding contact with people who are coughing and sneezing. If you know someone even in the house who is coughing or sneezing, try to keep the kids away from them. It is also believed that the respiratory secretion from coronavirus patients can travel to more than 6 feet. So practicing social distancing and staying at least 6 feet away is essential.

3. Clean the high end surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilet and sinks. This will help you in keeping your house disinfected from the coronavirus.

4. This is the right time to teach them to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue whenever they cough or sneeze. They should use their elbows to sneeze or cough if they do not find a tissue.

5. As per WHO guidelines washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential. Other than this, they should also know about sanitizers and how they can use them. (use sanitizers with 60% alcohol)

6. Using a face mask if your kid is sick, if they are healthy there is no need to wear a mask.

7. Washing their toys, it is necessary to wash the toys with warm water and dry them completely.

8. It is important to vaccinate them with flu shots (influenza)as the cases are on the rise. This will not help in protecting against COVID-19 but it will help you in dealing with cold and cough which is caused by influenza strains.

9. Try and make sure they get enough sleep and eat healthy home cooked food. Eating outside food is not at all recommended.

10. Keeping your kids hydrated with lots of liquids like lemon water, coconut water or any other juice. This helps in flushing the toxins and improves their immunity.

11. Don¡¯t panic, read and be well informed about this illness and correct any rumours or misinformation that your kid might have.

How to manage their schedule as COVID-19 has closed all schools:

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Take this time as an opportunity to bond with your kids. You can make your work from home an opportunity as a great source to socialize with them. Play some games, talk to them about their callings, teach them yoga, talk about their music interests, read together and share common interests.

1. Reading books is considered as a great way of learning things, bond with your child by reading with them. This not only strengthens your bond with them but also helps them in developing their minds.

2. Make time for activities. If your kid is young try and make them physical activities like jumping ropes, balls, hide and seek and more. Make your workout their dance time and enable them to keep moving.

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3. Activities like painting, gardening can be very constructive and relaxing at the same time.

4. Kids these days tend to get more attracted toward television and video games. Keep a check on their screen time. If they are missing their school ask them to call them and chat with them.

5. Eating good food like fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

6. Seeking medical advice early for your child if they develop any symptoms like fever, cough or find difficulty in breathing.

7. Make them eat foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants like citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, pineapple, raw veggies this would be a good food intake for them.

These are some of the best ways to ensure your kids safety and reassure that they are having a great time amid coronavirus outbreak and not missing school.