Tips to start a healthy school year

Parents can do a few simple things to help their children start off the school year as healthy as possible.

Debbie Price, nurse program specialist with the Santa Rosa County Health Department, said making sure children form an early habit of washing their hands can make a huge difference in the classrooms.

“Remind them to wash their hands before they eat and to not put other things in their mouths because it can spread germs,” she said.

Kindergartners are given a lesson on hand washing and germs during the first weeks of school. Kindergartners also have to have all their vaccinations before starting school to prevent the spread of diseases like chickenpox.

Price said kindergartners were more vulnerable to colds, stomach bugs, strep throat and other contagious illnesses because their immune systems aren’t as strong.

For more on this story, see the August 18 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.