Navigating sun safety can be tricky – you want your kids to play outside, but what must you do to protect their skin? Balancing the desire for kids to frolic under the sun with the necessity to protect their delicate skin is essential. Luckily, this article offers a guide full of practical steps and tips to instill sun safety habits in your kids, making sunny days stress-free and safe. Additionally, to reinforce these steps, we have an interactive Goal Mine class in video form, designed for kids (linked above!). It’s a fun way for kids to grasp the concept independently, so encourage them to watch it!
Step 1: Understanding the Importance of Sun Safety
Sun safety is crucial to prevent skin damage and potential health risks. Explaining to kids the significance of protecting their skin is important! Discussing the harmful effects of the sun and its impact on skin health, in simple terms, can lay the foundation for long-lasting sun safety habits. For instance:
- Talk to them about the possible effects or damage the sun can cause on the skin.
- Use visual aids like pictures or drawings to illustrate the concept effectively.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Sunscreen
Did you know that selecting a suitable sunscreen is vital in sun safety? As such, guide your child through the process, helping them understand the importance of sunscreen in blocking harmful sun rays.
- Opt for a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and at least SPF 30.
- Let kids be involved in choosing their sunscreen, perhaps one with their favorite character on the packaging, making it more appealing.
Read more: How to Get Ready to Go to the Pool
Step 3: Application of Sunscreen
Teaching the correct application of sunscreen is critical. For example, demonstrating and involving kids in the process can make it an enjoyable learning experience.
- Show them how to apply an adequate amount.
- Encourage them to cover all exposed areas, including easily forgotten spots like the backs of ears and tops of feet.
- Remind them to reapply every two hours and more frequently when swimming or sweating.
- Implement a reward system for remembering to reapply sunblock!
Step 4: Wearing Protective Clothing
Incorporate protective clothing in your child’s sun safety routine. Guidance on choosing and wearing suitable clothes can shield them effectively.
- Opt for long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of tightly woven fabric.
- Choose clothes with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) labels.
- Encourage hats with wide brims that shield the face, ears, and back of the neck.
Step 5: Seeking Shade
Teach your kids the value of shade, especially during peak sun hours, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Instilling the habit of seeking shade can mitigate the risk of overexposure.
- Encourage playtime in shaded areas.
- Explain the benefit of shade in preventing sunburn and keeping them cool.
- Use portable shade devices during outdoor activities.
Read more: Sunscreen for Sensory Issues | Parent Guide
Step 6: Staying Hydrated
Emphasize the importance of staying hydrated, especially during sunny days. Make water intake an essential part of their sun safety routine.
- Provide water bottles with measurements, allowing kids to track their intake.
- Consider making hydration fun by incorporating colorful straws or infusing water with fruits.
- Remind kids to sip water regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty.
Step 7: Regular Check-ups
Regular skin check-ups can help in early detection of any irregularities. Moreover, teaching kids the importance of regular check-ups can cultivate a proactive approach to health.
- Schedule periodic skin check-ups with a pediatrician.
- Encourage open dialogue about any changes or concerns regarding their skin.
- Use age-appropriate language to discuss the significance of check-ups.
Goally | 100+ Streaming Video Classes
Does your child need some extra guidance on building essential life skills? Goally’s skill building tablet for kids includes a TV app that has the most robust video library of skills training videos for kids. Ranging from content like “How to Brush Your Teeth” to “How to Make Friends at School,” we have dozens of interactive video lessons for kids with thinking and learning differences.
HERE’s a video explaining how to works.
Empowering kids with sun safety knowledge and practices is not just a summertime skill but a lifelong commitment. By following these steps, parents can ensure the joyful laughter of their kids resonates under the sun, free of worries. After all, these efforts are small stepping stones toward nurturing independent and health-conscious individuals. Finally, for a more immersive learning experience and to unlock the rest of the invaluable video lessons that dive deep into sun safety, consider getting Goally’s dedicated Tablet. After all, your child’s journey toward becoming sun-savvy is just a click away!
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
