KEY ELEMENTARY EDUHOUSE

6 Secrets of Kids Who Rarely Get Sick

Do you know that neighborhood kid who never seems to come down with anything? Does his/her parents know something you don't? Probably not, experts say, but put these six habits of healthy kids to use to avoid illness this year.

Keep hands clean:

Regular hand-washing dramatically reduces the passing of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, so get your kids in the habit of scrubbing up (or using a hand sanitizer) when they leave preschool or day care, after every playdate, and before they eat. Teach kids to sing "Happy Birthday" to themselves twice before rinsing -- scrubbing for 15-20 seconds is key.

Be active every day:

Studies indicate that regular, moderate exercise can reduce the number of cold and flu episodes that occur over the course of a year by 25-50 percent, possibly by boosting the circulation of infection-fighting cells. "Exercise is better than any advertised cure or miracle," says Harley A. Rotbart, M.D., Parents advisor and author of Germ Proof Your Kids: the Complete Guide to Protecting (Without Overprotecting) Your Family from Infections (ASM Press, 2007).

Get plenty of ZZZs.

Make sure kids stick to an early bedtime. Sleep deprivation nearly doubles the risk of getting a cold or flu, Dr. Rotbart says. Most babies need approximately 14 hours of sleep a day; preschoolers need 11-13 hours of Z's.

Avoid touching your face.

Cold and flu viruses enter the body through the nose, eyes, and mouth, so help your child keep her hands away from those areas. Yes, it can be very difficult to accomplish -- hand-washing at strategic moments is all the more important. Teach your child never to share a straw, cup, or toothbrush.

Consume a balanced and healthy diet.

Meals with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables will help boost your child's immune system. Look for foods rich in vitamin C (broccoli, strawberries, and oranges) and vitamin D (tuna, fortified milk, and cereals). Eating yogurt with active cultures (probiotics) can also help build defenses.

8 Phrases to say to your children

1. “I believe in you”

As children grow up, they look to others for approval and validation. When you show your children that you genuinely believe in them, they’re more likely to become secure and self-confident.

2. “Thank you”

I know many parents who refuse to thank their children for anything. These parents believe that their children are indebted to them because of all the parental sacrifices they’ve made.

I believe, however, that saying “thank you” to your children is a basic way of teaching them to be appreciative.

3. “Please”

You can teach your children to be polite by first being polite to them. Just because you’re an authority figure in their life doesn’t mean that you need to continually speak to them as if you’re their boss or supervisor.

4. “I’m proud of you”

Some parents never say this to their children. As a result, these children may constantly question their self-worth. In severe cases, they may spend much of their lives trying to prove themselves to their parents or to the world.

5. “Good effort!”

As a parent, praise your children for their effort and hard work, instead of the results they achieve. In this way, your children will understand that the goal is always to be the best they can be, not to be better than other people.

The results you get are merely feedback about how you can do things differently in the future. It’s not what defines you as an individual.

6. “What do you think?”

Many children feel as if their opinions don’t matter, because their parents usually make decisions on their behalf. By asking your children “What do you think?” you demonstrate that their thoughts and opinions count.

7. “I trust you”

When you say this to your children, they’ll start to take full responsibility for their choices and their lives, because they'll believe that they can be trusted to make their own decisions. Their parents no longer need to “baby” them.

8. “My love for you is unconditional”

Some parents make it seem like they love their children more when their children behave well, get good grades or work at a “prestigious” company.

Sure, you might be more pleased with your children when they do something well, but you need to make it clear that you love them exactly the same, no matter how many (or how few) accomplishments they rack up.

In closing…

These eight phrases are simple but powerful. Focus on using just one phrase each week—or even each month—and turn it into a habit.