Winter is magic for children when snowball fights, cozy sweaters, and hot chocolates await. But it also brings a whole host of health problems ranging from dry skin to seasonal illnesses. With the change of weather, parents of preschoolers need to be all the more careful to keep their little ones healthy, happy, and active during the cold season. At Dhruv Global Pre-School, Pune, we believe in the magic of winter wellness and would like to share a few simple and fun ways to keep your child in great shape.

1. Layer Up for Warmth

Layering a child becomes essential during winter. Trap some consistently accumulated body heat by inserting into layers at specific target locations, ensuring that they do not overheat. The innermost layer should include focus on breathable cotton, the middle layer on moisture wicking fabrics, while the outer layer should consist of wool or fleece.

Accessories such as hats, scarves, and gloves should not be left out during outside playtime. You are less likely to catch colds from winter weather if you are well dressed.

2. Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to think that hydration is only a summertime thing, but winter offers just as strong a case for hydration. Dry and cold air can draw the moisture out of your child’s body without their thirst giving any warning signs. Encourage a drinking habit so that your child gets used to drinking water regularly and provide warm drinks such as herbal teas or home-made soups to further encourage them and keep them cozy.

3. Boost Immunity with Healthy Foods

Winter is the season that has nourishing soup, citrus fruits, and roots—perfect for boosting the immune system of children. Prepare your dishes with vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, berries, and spinach to keep colds at bay. Do not forget protein-rich foods such as eggs, nuts, and dairy—necessary for strong muscle and bone gain during their period of growth spurts.

You might even consider adding probiotic foods—like yogurt or kefir—to the diet for proper gut health as it plays a crucial role in overall immunity. 

4. Keep Their Skin Moisturized

Cold weather can leave your child’s skin dry and irritated. Make sure to apply moisturizer on your child’s skin after bath time to lock in moisture. Opt for a gentle and fragrance-free lotion to avoid any skin reactions. Also, apply some lip balm on your child, especially against chapping, during outdoor playtime. 

5. Encourage Indoor Exercise

Every once in a while, the outdoors can be a winter wonderland; but an equal balance among outdoor play and indoor physical activity is vital in enhancing the fitness of your child. On a cold day, create fun indoor exercises like dancing, jumping jacks, a sort of obstacle course, and so on. Simple games like “Simon Says” or “Freeze Dance” can get your child moving while keeping the temperature high indoors.

Dhruv Global Pre-School ensures that even in winter, the children get to hustle in their winterized activities. 

6. Encourage Proper Hand Hygiene

Winter is the flu season, and this is when the situation calls for heightened hygiene measures. Teach your child about the importance of frequent hand washing, especially after playing outside, before eating, and after sneezing or coughing. Inject an element of fun into hand washing, by singing some song together during washing, so that the child identifies it with positive experiences.

7. Get Plenty of Sleep

Cold weather and short days can throw your child’s cycle out of rhythm, but ensuring a reasonable sleep schedule is the cornerstone of a healthy child. Therefore, make sure that enough sleep is provided in line with the recommended amounts for their age-groups, typically 10-12 hours for preschoolers.

Help your child to quiet down with a warm bath, a well-told story, and calming music to create a nice wind-down time for a good night’s sleep. 

8. Boost Vitamin D Levels

With shorter daylight hours during winter, children may get insufficient exposure to sunlight. Since Vitamin D is vital for bone health and immunity, consider adding any Vitamin D-rich foods such as fortified milk, eggs, and mushrooms in their diet. Discuss with your pediatrician about Vitamin D supplements, if need be, so that you can make sure that your child is getting enough. 

9. Take Care of Their Mental Well-Being

The winter can be isolating for children since the cold weather would limit their outdoor activities. This makes it even more important for the child to have some indoor activity-a puzzle or some book-to engage their mind. Indoor hobbies will distract the child from winter blues and will keep the mind sharp.

Give your child emotional well-being through a lot of hugs and positive reinforcement, as this is as important as physical health in winter. 

Conclusion

This winter season brings a lot of happiness but requires a little care to ensure health and happiness for your little child. One can keep him active, nourished, and away from seasonal diseases if they follow these simple yet effective winter health tips.