Having clean clothes and daily baths shows children that being clean not only feels good, but also helps them stay well. You can teach your children to wash their hands at an early age. Tell your children that skin can stop germs from entering the body, and washing can reduce the risk of infection if your child has a cut or scrape. Explain, too, that harmful germs and viruses can be spread by a sneeze or a cough. Teach your child to stay away from people who are sneezing and coughing.
Children can help prevent the spread of disease if they cover their sneezes or coughs with a tissue.
Your child can help that immune system function well by getting enough sleep, by eating nutritious meals, and by exercising. Vaccinations also prevent disease and play an important part in helping your child grow up healthy. The idea of having a shot may be frightening to a child. Help your child understand that this vaccination is a medicine that prevents disease. It's a lot more fun to be playing with friends than to be sick.