How Can I Keep My Child Healthy During Cold and Flu Season?

Simple, practical habits families can use to support children’s health and help reduce the spread of germs during cold and flu season.

When cold and flu season arrives, runny noses, coughs and sick days can become a familiar part of family life, especially when children spend their days learning and playing alongside others. While no routine can prevent every illness, families can take practical steps to support their children’s health and reduce the spread of germs.

Here are simple ways to help your family navigate cold and flu season with a little more confidence.

1. How Can I Teach My Child to Wash Their Hands Properly?

Regular handwashing is one of the simplest ways to help reduce the spread of germs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. For young children, turning handwashing into a familiar routine can make the habit easier to remember.

Encourage handwashing:

• Before eating
• After using the bathroom
• After coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose
• After playing outside
• When arriving home from school or childcare

Instead of focusing on germs as something children should fear, frame clean hands as one of the ways we take care of ourselves and the people around us.

2. What Other Hygiene Habits Can Help Reduce the Spread of Germs?

Beyond handwashing, a few simple behaviors can help children learn how to limit the spread of germs.

Children can gradually learn to:

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow
• Throw used tissues away
• Avoid sharing cups, water bottles and eating utensils
• Keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth when possible

Young children will not remember these habits perfectly every time, and that is okay. Gentle, consistent reminders at home and at school can help them become more automatic over time.

3. How Do Sleep, Nutrition and Hydration Support Children During Cold and Flu Season?

Healthy daily routines matter throughout the year, including during cold and flu season.

Consistent sleep gives growing children important time to rest and recharge. Regular meals provide the energy and nutrients their bodies need for growth and development, while drinking enough fluids helps children stay hydrated.

At home, focus on simple routines your family can realistically maintain:

• Keep bedtime and wake-up times as consistent as possible.
• Offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein-rich foods.
• Make water regularly available throughout the day.
• Build active play and movement into your child’s routine.
• Give children opportunities for downtime and rest.

Want to learn more about nutrition during cold and flu season? Read our article, “Which Foods Support My Child’s Immune System During Cold and Flu Season?” for simple, family-friendly ways to support your child through the foods they eat.

There is no single food or routine that can guarantee a child will not get sick. The goal is to build a healthy foundation through everyday habits rather than searching for a quick seasonal fix.

4. When Should I Keep My Child Home From Daycare or Preschool?

Knowing when your child needs a day at home is an important part of caring for their well-being and their school community.

If your child is not feeling well enough to comfortably participate in their usual school-day activities, it may be time for a day at home. Families should also become familiar with their school’s illness and return-to-care policies so they know what to expect when sickness occurs.

For questions about your child’s individual symptoms or health, always consult your family’s healthcare provider.

5. How Can I Make Healthy Habits Easier for Young Children?

For young children, repetition often works better than a long explanation. One way to make healthy habits easier is to connect them to predictable moments throughout the day.

For example:

We came inside, so we wash our hands.

It’s time to eat, so we wash our hands.

I need to cough, so I use my elbow.

Rather than introducing these behaviors only during cold and flu season, make them part of the family’s normal rhythm. Parents can also model the behaviors themselves, giving children a consistent example to follow.

6. How Can Families and Child Care Programs Work Together During Cold and Flu Season?

Early childhood environments naturally involve close interaction, shared spaces and plenty of hands-on play. Clear communication between families and their child’s school can make it easier to navigate illness when it occurs.

Families can support that partnership by:

• Following their school’s health and illness policies
• Letting the school know when their child is sick
• Keeping emergency and health information current
• Asking questions when they are unsure about a health or illness policy

When families and educators stay informed and communicate openly, they can work together to support a healthy, safe learning environment.

Health and Safety at Children of America

At Children of America, creating a safe, nurturing environment is an important part of caring for children each day.

Healthy habits are reinforced through age-appropriate routines, while school teams maintain procedures designed to support clean and safe learning environments. Our approach also recognizes that health is bigger than any single habit. Nutrition, movement, learning, social-emotional development and strong family partnerships all contribute to supporting the whole child.

The goal is to help children build healthy habits they can continue practicing as they grow.

A Healthier Season Starts With Small Habits

Cold and flu season can bring a few extra considerations for families, but staying healthy does not need to become another source of pressure.

Simple, consistent habits at home and strong communication with your child’s school can help your family feel more prepared for the season ahead.

Want to learn more about the health, safety and learning environment at Children of America?

Use the Find A School button at the top of our website to find your nearest Children of America location and schedule a tour.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Preventing Respiratory Illnesses.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “About Hand Hygiene in Schools and Early Care and Education Settings.”

American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, “How to Care for Your Child’s Cold.”