General information to teach your kid about germs and their role in sickness

  • Germs can make you sick and they are present everywhere.
  • They are too small to be seen by eyes and you see them only with a microscope.
  • Diseases such as flu usually spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the same disease.
  • Children should tell you if they feel sick.

Habits to teach your child to stay healthy

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue/ handkerchief when while coughing or sneezing so that you don’t pass germs on to others. Throw the tissue after use..

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 or more seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze.

Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until you wash your hands as germs spread that way.

Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness

Wash hands:

  • After coughing or sneezing
  • After using washroom
  • After playing outside
  • After shaking hands with other people
  • After touching animals, including your pet
  • Before eating or touching food
  • It is important to use soap and running water while washing hands to ensure the dirt and germs go away.

Source:

Teaching Children About the Flu[Internet]. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/teachingchildrenflu.pdf. Accessed on Feb 25, 2020.