Be sure the child with diabetes is included in celebrations with appropriate food and drink selections. Discuss changes in the day's food plan with the parent. Sometimes the adjustment may be as easy as having sugar-free cookies and diet soda available instead of cake and fruit punch. Exercise and Activity Like their classmates, children with diabetes enjoy activities such as running, jumping, playing ball, and using outdoor equipment. Activity and exercise play an important part in the control of blood sugar.
Exercise lowers blood sugar.
The timing of exercise may affect a child's meal plan and need for insulin. Children may need a snack before strenuous exercise to keep their blood sugar in balance. Notify parents in advance if a game, sports event or outing will change the child's routine and delay snack and meal times. Blood Sugar Monitoring Children with diabetes may require routine monitoring of blood glucose levels while they are in childcare. Testing is done by taking a drop of blood, usually from a finger, and placing it on a special test strip in a glucose meter.