Fish Smarty - because we make kids smarter

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Halloween safety tips

Each 31st of October children around the world, including yours, will be going to “trick or treat” full of excitement and glee. But despite being such an enjoyable celebration, through its nature, Halloween also means precautions must be taken into account when going with your kids to trick or treat.
First of all, you should make a map of their route so that you can avoid unsafe or dangerous areas with obstacles or broken pavements. You will avoid tripping and falling or walking through poorly lit streets. Also, make sure children have something lit on them, like a small flashlight, flashing attire or even consider making them wear light-up shoes or sneakers. This way your will ensure that they can’t be missed in the dark.

Then, you should carefully pick the shoes that your kids are going to wear. It’s best if you skip on the shoes that came with the costume because they won’t be comfortable enough and just go for sneakers or boots.

When you buy a costume containing a mask, make sure that it allows full visibility and breathing. If the holes are too small and you kid is still set on that costume you can make them larger with some scissors. It’s very important that the mask that can be easily be put on and off.
The costumes should be appropriate to the weather in the area you live in. If it’s very warm outside they shouldn’t be wearing thick and furry costumes and, likewise, if you’re facing cool evenings make sure your kid’s costumes are keeping them warm.

Teach your kids that they should only trick or treat the houses that are lit. Usually, neighbours that don’t want to be bothered keep their lights off. Also, keep in mind that you don’t go past 9 pm. This way the trick and trickers won’t disturb the residents and will also have time to enjoy their treats.

The children should be fed a consistent meal before they go trick or treat and they should also have a small bottle of water on them all the time so that they can stay hydrated.
If your children decide to go trick or treat with a group of other children make sure a parent will accompany them along their way or you could volunteer to be their supervisor.

Before leaving for the expedition check that your kids have went to the bathroom first then give them some final advice on how they should properly behave and wish them a fruitful trick or treat.


Happy Halloween!

Fish Smarty - because we make kids smarter

Friday, October 14, 2011

Ensuring that your kid stays healthy in school - Part I

Once your child starts going to kindergarten or just straight to school you might notice that his immune system will be challenged and the he might get sick easier than before. It only takes one child in a class to have a cold or a virus and it will immediately spread among his peers. Being in a community will, most likely, make him predisposed to sickness.

When it comes to viruses the most effective method that would prevent their spread among your kids colleagues is a very good hygiene or, more simple, washing hands. You must teach your children to wash their hands whenever they use the restroom, before they eat, and after they sneezed, blown their noses, came back from outside, where they played or just walked. You should also try to explain them why washing hands is necessary ever since they are old enough to understand. Continue to repeat this and talk to his teacher to also insist on the hand washing practice in class. This way, your kid will be less likely to forget.

Moreover, besides washing hands there are also other precautions that are equally important such as: teaching the children that they should cover their mouth and nose with their hands when sneezing or coughing. Then, they must wash the hands or use a sanitary, antibacterial solution (this could be either alcohol based or an evaporating gel). However, this antibacterial solution should only be used when they don’t have any proper means to wash their hands with water and soap. Children should also avoid touching their eyes or putting their fingers in their mouth when they haven’t washed their hands.

To be continued...

Fish Smarty - because we make kids smarter!