Ok. I did not mean that in a bad way. But ‘tis the season for colds, flu, and allergies. Kids get….well….snotty. In my own classroom, for example, I have already gone through several boxes of Kleenex. Recalling last year’s rash of illness that left me with only five students for a couple of days, I thought I would mention here how important it is for our kids (and us adults) to keep in mind some basic guidelines to promote health and well being.
First of all, use germ-x or some version of it, but don’t let this prevent you from using soap and water. Furthermore, parents, if you would remind your kids to dry their hands on paper towels and not their clothes, the hand washing would be much more effective. Wash hands after using a restroom type facility, even if all you do is primp in the mirror. Wash hands before you eat, and after. If you have a sneezing fit and you (appropriately) cover your mouth and nose, wash your hands. These are things we need to be sure our kids know and practice doing.
This naturally leads in to the covering of the mouth and nose. Coughing, sneezing – both should be covered up. My youngest children came home one day and informed me that we should not use our hands to cover our mouths and noses, but the crook of our elbows. Makes sense. Whatever you use, contain those germs as best you can. Then wash up. Germ-X if nothing else is handy, followed by the use of soap and water.
Do not misunderstand me, I am not a germophobe. After spending a week last year with that horrible flu, convinced that my own demise was imminent, I am a little more aware of the precautions. Parents, help your kids understand the need to wash their hands frequently, use Kleenex (not a finger) to blow their nose, and keep them home if they have a fever. Don’t give them Tylenol and then send them anyway. That Tylenol wears off and they could be contagious. Every year we see kids coming to school looking like they feel miserable. Turns out, they do. And they go home, sick. Unfortunately, they have already exposed everyone else to whatever illness they have.
We love your kids and we are so glad to see them. But we would prefer to see them well and alert.
Oh – and by the way – if you have not sent Kleenex to your child’s teacher yet, could you do so as soon as you get a chance? Trust me, we need that stuff. It’s like gold on a campus full of snotty kids.
Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and recently earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is now working on her Ph.D. in Educational Technology. Married with four children who attend Brownwood schools, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 15 years. Christine welcomes your questions and comments and would love to hear from you!