1. Eat the rainbow. A variety of fruits and vegetables will help keep your family health and broaden your child's palate.
2. Exercise is fun and rewarding! Aim for about 20 minutes fives times a week of physical activity that makes you sweaty and gets your heart rate up. Tag and jump rope are good ideas!
3. Always take your shoes off at the front door. Walking around all day picks up germs, bacteria and pesticides. No shoes in the house can help your family avoid illness and diseases.
4. Routine hand washing. Young children touch everything and then put their hands on the faces and mouths. Hand washing after walking in the door can avoid transfer of germs.
5. Get outdoors. Getting exercise outdoors helps with physical and mental wellness and helps prevent screen time overdosing.
6. Wear the right sunblock. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and a water resistant brand is best so that it withstands water and sweat. For toddlers, make sure they are wearing long sleeves and try to keep babies younger than six months of age indoors.
7. Wear a helmet in the streets. Make sure that your child always wears a helmet, whether on a bike, skates or scooter.
8. Practice good pool safety. Make sure an adult is always supervising when their are children in the pool, even if they know how to swim.
9. Prevent mosquito bites. Children six months and older can wear mosquito repellent with Deet, but try wipes instead of spray to limit aerosol inhalation. Citronella and lemongrass oils can also be effective in older children.
10. Stay hydrated and prevent heat illness. Younger children should aim for 4-6 cups of water a day and teenagers 7+. Active children should take breaks for hydration and try to limit time spent in the mid-day sun.
11. Preventative care is key! Keep routine dental check ups and well child checks as a way to make sure that your family is healthy and growing well.
12. Spend time together. Spending time together bonds families together to help get through the tough times. Try to spending some time each week together or at least one meal a day.

About MacKoul Pediatrics

MacKoul Pediatrics is an amazing local pediatrics office in Cape Coral, FL where caring, compassionate doctors and nurses work with you to keep your children as healthy as possible. Dr. David MacKoul and Dr. Amber Loyson care for children from birth to college age, from Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, and beyond. Give them a call to set-up your child(s) appointment today 239.573.2001. You’ll be glad to have this team keeping your family healthy.