Wellbeing
Winter Wellness
Here are some helpful tips to keep your family healthy during the colder months.
Boosting Immunity
Think of your family’s immune systems needs the right fuel to stay strong and fight off winter bugs. Here’s how to give it a boost:
Eat the rainbow: Brighten up your meals with colourful fruits and veggies like oranges, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, they’re nature’s immune boosters.
Stay hydrated: It’s easy to forget about water in winter, but staying hydrated is just as important as in summer. Warm herbal teas or homemade soups are great options for kids who shy away from cold drinks.
Prioritise sleep: Sleep is the ultimate recharge for the immune system. Create a cosy bedtime routine with warm baths, a break from devices at least an hour before bedtime, bedtime stories, and snuggly blankets to help everyone get the rest they need.
Keep moving: Don’t let the cold keep you indoors! Rug up and head outside for a family walk, a game of tag, or even a backyard obstacle course. Exercise keeps the immune system strong and spirits high.
Maintaining Hygiene
Germs love winter, but good hygiene can stop them in their tracks. Teaching kids these habits early makes a big difference:
Make handwashing fun: Turn handwashing into a game by singing a song or using colourful soap. Encourage kids to wash their hands before eating, after playing, and whenever they sneeze or cough.
Cover those sneezes: Teach kids to use a tissue or their elbow to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough.
Wipe it down: High-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, and tablet screens are germ hotspots. A quick wipe-down with disinfectant can help keep germs at bay.
Stock up on tissues: Remind kids to use them (and bin them!) when they need to.
Staying Healthy
Winter wellness isn’t just about avoiding illness – it’s about keeping everyone happy, active, and connected during the colder months. Here’s how to make the most of the season:
Create a winter haven: Transform your home into a cosy retreat. A snug environment can lift everyone’s mood.
Cook hearty meals together: Winter is the perfect time for soups, stews, and casseroles. Get the kids involved in the kitchen – they’ll love stirring, sprinkling, and taste-testing!
Get outside when you can: Fresh air and sunshine (even in winter) are great for mental and physical health. Bundle up and head to the park, go on a nature walk, or simply jump in puddles.
Stay connected: Winter can feel isolating, so make an effort to connect with loved ones. Plan playdates, host a family movie night, or enjoy a board game marathon.
Here’s to a happy, healthy winter filled with laughter, warmth, and plenty of family memories!
(reference The Edge Early Learning)
1000 Books Before School
While newborn babies may not understand the words you’re saying when you read to them, reading aloud gives information about the world around them and helps build communication skills. Each time you read, your child hears your voice change as you convey emotion, tone, and express sounds. They watch you point at the pictures and turn the pages. Then, they start to copy you, mimicking the sounds you make and recognising the pictures on the page.
In just 5-10 minutes a day, you’re helping boost their language, social, emotional and motor skills—all while having fun!
Enjoying books together is the best way to help your child develop a love of reading. Reading daily encourages a love of language and story, helping to build vital skills that will set them up for success at school and beyond.
If you have a pre-schooler at home why not join "1000 Books Before School" through the Goldfields Library services. 1000 Books Before School – Goldfields Library Corporation
Reading 1000 books before school is easier than it sounds. With most picture books taking about five minutes to read, you’ll be surprised how quickly the pages add up!
3 picture books a day (15 minutes) Finish 1000 books in less than a year.
1 picture book a day (5 minutes) Finish 1000 books in less than 3 years.
1 picture book each weekday (5 minutes) Finish 1000 books in less than 4 years.
