Tips For Keeping School-Aged Children Healthy During Covid 19

Quick Answer

School jaane wale bachche ko healthy rakhna mushkil nahi hai - sirf consistent habits chahiye! School-going children are exposed to many germs and infections, but with good hygiene practices, proper nutrition, adequate neend (sleep), and mental health support, most illnesses can be prevented or managed easily. This guide covers practical tips that actually work for busy Indian families.

Current Health Landscape (2025)

What Matters Now

Good news:

• COVID-19 is now endemic (like seasonal flu)

• Severe illness in children remains rare

• Schools are fully operational

• Most children have built immunity What still matters:

• General hygiene practices (haath dhona)

• Staying home when sick

• Keeping vaccinations up to date

• Overall health and nutrition

• Mental well-being (mann ki sehat)

• Adequate sleep (poori neend)

Step-by-Step Health Guide

Step 1: Keep Vaccinations Updated (Teeke Complete Rakho)

Essential vaccines for school-age children:

Vaccine	Schedule	Notes
COVID-19	As per current government/IAP guidelines	Boosters when recommended
Flu (Influenza)	Annually (before winter - Oct/Nov)	Especially important if child has asthma
Typhoid	As per schedule	Important in India
Hepatitis A & B	Check if completed	Often missed
MMR, DPT boosters	Check schedule	Don’t skip boosters

Check with pediatrician for personalized recommendations based on child’s age and health.

Step 2: Teach Good Hygiene Habits (Safai Ki Aadat)

Handwashing (haath dhona) - THE most important habit!

When to wash:

• Before eating (khana khane se pehle)

• After using toilet

• After coming home from school

• After playing outside

• After touching animals

• After sneezing/coughing Proper technique (sahi tarika):

• Wet hands with clean water

• Apply soap

• Rub for 20 seconds (do baar “Happy Birthday” gaao)

• Scrub between fingers, under nails

• Rinse and dry properly When soap unavailable: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol)

Step 3: Practice Respiratory Hygiene

Teach children:

• Cover mouth when coughing/sneezing (khanste ya chheenkte waqt dhako)
• Use tissue or elbow (not hands!)
• Dispose tissues properly (dustbin mein)
• Don’t touch face with unwashed hands
• Don’t share water bottles or food directly

Step 4: Keep Sick Children at Home

When to stay home from school:

• Fever (bukhar)

• Vomiting or diarrhea (ulti/loose motion)

• New cough or cold symptoms (sardi-zukaam)

• Known infectious illness

• Not feeling well enough to participate Return to school when:

• Fever-free for 24 hours (without medicine)

• Feeling well enough to learn and play

• Doctor clears for return (if specific illness)

Step 5: Build Strong Immunity (Immunity Mazboot Karo)

Nutrition for immunity:

Nutrient	Indian Sources	Benefit
Vitamin C	Amla, orange, nimbu, guava, kiwi	Immune support
Vitamin D	Dhoop (sunlight), eggs, fortified milk	Infection fighting
Zinc	Nuts, seeds, whole grains, pumpkin seeds	Immune function
Protein	Dal, paneer, eggs, chicken, fish	Building blocks
Probiotics	Dahi (curd), chaas (buttermilk)	Gut health

Daily healthy habits:

• Balanced diet (ghar ka khana)
• Adequate sleep (poori neend - see chart below)
• Regular physical activity (khel-kud)
• Outdoor time (dhoop mein thodi der)
• Adequate water intake (paani peete raho) Sleep requirements by age:

Age	Hours Needed
6-12 years	9-12 hours
13-18 years	8-10 hours

Step 6: Support Mental Health (Mann Ki Sehat)

Why it matters:

• School stress is real (padhai ka pressure)

• Peer dynamics can be challenging

• Social media pressure (older kids)

• Balance is important What to do:

• Regular check-ins with child (baat karo daily)

• Listen without judgment

• Maintain consistent daily routines

• Limit news/social media exposure

• Encourage physical activity (releases stress)

• Allow play and free time (khel-kud zaroor)

• Watch for changes in behavior, neend, or appetite Warning signs to notice:

• Sudden change in neend patterns

• Loss of interest in activities they enjoyed

• Changes in eating habits

• Withdrawing from friends/family

• Frequent complaints of headache/stomach ache without physical cause

• Excessive worry or fear

Tips for Success

At home:

• Stock healthy snacks (fruits, nuts, makhana) instead of chips/biscuits

• Make handwashing a non-negotiable habit

• Keep regular sleep schedule (sone ka time fix)

• Limit screen time (especially before neend)

• Model healthy behaviors yourself For school:

• Pack healthy lunch from home (dabba)

• Include water bottle (apni bottle)

• Teach child not to share food/water directly

• Ensure proper rest night before school

• Regular bedtime routine Overall approach:

• Don’t be overprotective - normal childhood activities build immunity

• Focus on building resilience, not just avoiding illness

• Celebrate healthy habits

• Remember: some illness is normal and okay!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why It’s Harmful	Do This Instead
Over-sanitizing everything	Can harm natural immunity	Normal cleanliness is enough
Keeping child isolated	Affects social development, immunity	Balance caution with normal life
Worrying about every cold	Creates anxiety in child	Most illnesses are normal, mild
Ignoring mental health	Can lead to bigger issues	Regular emotional check-ins
Junk food for convenience	Weakens immunity	Plan healthy meals/snacks
Skipping regular vaccinations	Increases disease risk	Keep all vaccines updated
Irregular sleep schedule	Affects immunity and learning	Consistent neend routine

When to Seek Medical Help

Urgent/Emergency (turant doctor):

• High fever (103 degrees F+) not responding to paracetamol
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea causing dehydration
• Confusion or unusual behavior
• Rash with fever
• Unable to keep fluids down

Non-urgent Appointment:

• Prolonged cough (more than 2-3 weeks)
• Recurrent infections (baar baar beemar)
• Significant behavior changes
• Sleep problems lasting weeks (neend ki problem)
• Weight loss or poor appetite
• Anxiety affecting daily life/school

Age-Specific Considerations

Young Children (3-6 years / Preschool-KG)

• Less able to maintain hygiene independently
• Need supervision for handwashing
• May not report symptoms well
• Teach through games and songs
• Expect 6-8 colds per year (normal!)

Primary School (6-12 years)

• Can learn and practice hygiene independently
• Peer influence increases
• Balance independence with guidance
• Mental health awareness important
• May hide symptoms to avoid missing school

Teens (12+ years)

• More independence in health decisions
• Neend and stress issues very common (padhai ka pressure)
• Social pressures significant
• Open, non-judgmental communication important
• Screen time and neend hygiene critical

Building Resilience

The goal is not to avoid all illness but to:

• Build a healthy immune system naturally
• Develop good lifelong habits
• Create resilience to recover quickly
• Maintain mental well-being
• Balance caution with normal, active life Remember: Some mild illness is NORMAL and actually helps build immunity! 6-8 colds per year for younger children is completely normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: School mein bachcha baar baar beemar ho jaata hai. Normal hai?

A: Some illness (6-8 colds per year) is COMPLETELY NORMAL, especially for younger school children! Their immune system is learning and building strength through exposure. Concerning: if illness is very frequent (every 2-3 weeks), severe, or affecting growth/school performance. Focus on: good nutrition, adequate neend (9-12 hours for 6-12 year olds), hygiene habits. See doctor if worried about frequency or severity.

Q: Flu vaccine har saal zaruri hai kya?

A: Recommended annually, especially for: children with asthma, diabetes, or chronic conditions, children under 5, and children in crowded settings like hostels. Flu vaccine is updated each year for new strains. Not mandatory but helpful in reducing illness severity, missed school days, and spread to younger siblings/grandparents. Best given September-November before flu season. Consult pediatrician.

Q: School se aane ke baad nahana zaruri hai?

A: Not strictly necessary unless child is visibly dirty or sweaty after sports. HAND WASHING is most important - this is what prevents most infections. Can change clothes and wash hands/face when coming home. Complete daily bath can be at any convenient time. Over-bathing can dry skin. Focus on hands - that’s where most germs transfer!

Q: Bachche ki immunity kaise badhaye?

A: Balanced diet (all food groups, not supplements), adequate neend (based on age - 9-12 hours for primary school), regular physical activity and outdoor time (dhoop = vitamin D), limited screen time, manage stress, keep vaccines updated, limit sugar and processed junk food. There’s NO magic “immunity booster” supplement for healthy children with balanced diet. Consistent healthy lifestyle matters more than any product!

Q: Mental health ke baare mein kaise pata chalega kuch problem hai?

A: Watch for: sudden change in neend patterns (bahut sona ya kam sona), loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in eating, withdrawing from friends/family, frequent physical complaints (sir dard, pet dard) without cause, excessive worry. Regular conversations help - ask open questions about school, friends, feelings. If concerns persist 2+ weeks or affecting school/daily life, consult pediatrician or counselor. Early support helps!

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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025

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