With school season in full swing, chances are your kids are out at school every day, 5 days of the week.
While school can be a lot of fun, it is important that children and educators be aware about the need to keep kids sun safe at all times.
Here are some sun safety tips for school-going children:
1. Talk to Kids About Sun Safety
First things first, talk to your kids about staying safe in the sun before they head out the door.
Give them a tube of sunscreen to keep in their locker and re-apply after swim class or before they head outdoors for sports. Tell younger kids about the importance of shade and the need to stay hydrated. Yes, preschoolers and kindergarteners too need to understand the importance of UV protection.
Make the talk interesting with books, videos or charts. But have the talk!
2. Provide Activity Ideas for UV Protection Education
Make sun safety education a part of after-school activities. Give kids coloring sheets or craft projects to do that demonstrate staying safe in the sun. There are plenty of free printables and useful ideas found online. See the Resources section below.
3. Talk to the School About Organizing a Safe Sun Day
The next time you meet the teacher during a parent-teacher meeting, discuss having a Safe Sun Day. You and a group of parents could volunteer to talk to different classes about the importance of UV protection.
4. Dress Them Appropriately
If your children don’t have a uniform at school, make sure that the outfits you pick for school year are appropriate for keeping them safe from the sun’s rays. Long sleeves, clothes with UV protection as well as cotton clothes are all good options.
5. Resources for Parents and Teachers
Here are some more resources for parents and teachers on school sun safety and UV protection:
School Resources from Sun Smart: This page has tons of links to activity sheets, worksheets, videos as well as policy guidelines.
School Policy from Sun Safety for Kids : The whole site is chockfull of useful sun safety resources, but this particular page outlines creating the sun safety policy for schools.
Sun Protection and Schools by the WHO: This downloadable document by the World Health Organization talks about the need to have a sun protection policy in schools and how to create one.
Sun Safety Game by the Queensland Government: This site, again, is a great resource for sun safety for kids, parents and teachers. This game is a fun way to introduce children to staying safe from UV rays.
How will you be keeping your kids safe from the sun at school? Join the ezShade community on Facebook and Twitter and share your tips and ideas.
Disclaimer: This article is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended to substitute medical advice or guidance of a health care professional. Please consult your healthcare provider before following any tips or ideas outlined.
Photo Credit: Free Digital Photos
