Germs in the Classroom & 10 Tips for Kids to Avoid them

Whether it’s washing hands while singing happy birthday two times, learning to cough into the crook of an arm, or staying away from other sick kids, you cannot avoid kids getting sick, BUT there are good habits that can help keep the “cooties” away and keep your child happy and healthy.

It is estimated that kids catch about eight colds a year. Combined, they lose nearly 22 million school days due to the common cold alone. If you think about it – with so many kids in one place and sharing school supplies, it is no wonder that the classroom can be a number one breeding ground for the germs that lead to colds and flu.

According to a survey by the American Medical Association, “92% of teachers say that regular disinfecting in classrooms can result in fewer absences caused by illness and 96% of them believe more can be done to make classrooms cleaner and healthier places for our children.”

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10 tips to stop germs in their tracks at school with your kids:
#1: Wash hands often.
Use warm, soapy water and rub vigorously for at least 20 seconds – tell your kids to sing “Happy Birthday” twice in their head while washing to make sure it is the proper amount of washing. Always encourage your children to avoid eating or touching your eyes, nose, and mouth without washing your hands first. Children should be reminded to wash their hands before, during and after food is prepared; before and after you eat; after using the bathroom; whenever hands are dirty or kids have been outside playing; and more frequently when anyone in the classroom, care setting or home is sick.

#2: Verify the hand-washing policy of staff. 

For many families, daycare is essential. When choosing a facility, be sure to check into the daycare facility’s hand-washing policy, the actual hand-washing practices, and the availability of sinks. It is great to have a school with programs on germs and hand washing, especially in childcare centers, because it reduces the spread sicknesses during peak cold and flu season.

#3: Send your child with mechanical pencils. 

Studies have shown that the dirtiest thing in any classroom is the community pencil sharpener. If you pack mechanical pencils, it helps reduce germs.

#4: Wipe down common surfaces with disinfectant or antibacterial wipes.
Drinking fountain handles, water faucets in sinks, light switches, paper towel dispensers, handles, and doorknobs all foster germs! Ask to make sure surfaces are being cleaned regularly.

#5: Clean and wipe down desks and keyboards. 

Desk surfaces, computer keyboards, and computer mouses ranked high in levels of five bacteria:

• E. coli
• Klebsiella pneumonia
• Streptococcus
• Salmonella
• Staphylococcus aureus

Send your child to school with disposable wipes so he or she can clean off their desk at the end of the day and before and after lunch if they eat at their desk.

#6: Cover your mouth and send functional tissues to school with your child.
Kids need to be taught to cough into the crook of their arm, into their sleeve, and then to immediately wash their hands. Virucidal tissues – have you ever heard of them? These tissues prevent the spread of viruses because it kills them when you blow your nose.

#7: Don’t borrow crayons. 

Although sharing is caring, buy your child a box of crayons as all inanimate objects passed from one person to another are potentially germ carriers. It is great if each child could have their own art supplies if possible.

#8: Clean community toys.
Plastic toys such as Legos can be washed with soap and water and board game surfaces can be wiped down with disinfecting wipes. Kids touch everything, including parts of their own body that may be contaminated and then touch toys and then share them with playmates, which can cause a common cold very easily.

#9: Hang your child’s backpack in the restroom. 

As many mommies know, the bottom of women’s purses are pretty dirty. Fecal bacteria can be transferred onto a purchase because women tend to put it down on the toilet floor in the restroom.  In the same way, encourage your child to hang their backpack on a hook in the school bathroom.

#10: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If your kid is the one who is sick, encourage other kids to keep their distance to minimize the spread of the germs and sickness. If possible, have your child stay home from school, child care, and public places so others won’t be exposed.

Here is a great segment we found that we thought you might like! It was featured on NBC’s Today Show called “How Germs Spread”

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