The outdoors is a great place to explore and learn about the little intricacies of life. Sending your little ones out is a great exposure in order for their mental and physical growth. Statistics state that playing outdoors is a great form of physical exercise that promotes child – well being and improves general health.
However, if you have chosen to let your children know the greater degree of life outside, its better to be equipped and gather knowledge to be on the more informed and safer side.
Here are five important things you should know before you send your children to explore the world outside.
Clothing
How your child is dressed and in what apparel they are clothed in plays an important role in their outdoor life. Weather is another factor which effects daily routine. If it’s in the tropics, its better to dress your child in clothes that are made out of cotton. The cotton clothing shall absorb the moisture of the sweat and keep your child fuss free.
If your child is more prone to get his or her clothing dirty, either due to vigorous play and activity, It is advisable to dress them in apparel that is more onto the darker shade. A darker shade will keep the dirty look minimized and would make an easier wash
Sun Lotion
If you happen to live in the tropics and in Asian countries, then this is a serious concern you should take into important consideration. Due to heavy pollution and harsh sun effects we need to keep ourselves more informed, when we send our kids out to play. A sun lotion is am important factor that plays a vital role in keeping your children safe and act as a screen. Apart from the concern with regards to complexion, the health effects due to direct exposure to the sun is indeed a worrying one. The acute and immediate effects of UV irradiation on sensitive human skin could vary between sunburn to inflammation erythema and tanning. This short term exposure may cause pain and itching, due to irritated skin.
Adults often tend to look after their skin due to a particular skin care regime, however children are overlooked and the effects of the detrimental exposure to direct sunlight is an alarming one.It is essential to choose a wise option to protect your kids from the sun before sending them out. There are many sunlotions in the market. However it is important to consider a good option when it comes to sunlotions. The factors that you may have to consider should be the SPF. SPF (sun protection factor) is a relative measure of how long a sunscreen will protect you from ultraviolet (UV) B rays.
Make sure to apply the stated amount of sunlotion onto your children. One must choose a trusted skin care brand with a good name in the market before you make the purchase. You should be informed that a sun lotion which consists of an SPF rating tends to act as a shield that eliminates the effect of UV photons from touching skin and causing harsh damage. This may also depends on what type your skin (or your child’s skin) is, (sensitive/ oily/ tough/ rough) type and how exposed it may be towards burn. Always follow the careful instructions and follow the label. Any sunscreen lotion that consists of an SPF 50+ combines strong UVA and UVB filters that shield young and sensitive skin from sun damage with a caring formula. Use only the safest since children have tender skin
The benefits of using a good sun lotion on your children will reap the results later and will also help keeping away skin cancer. Did you know that Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the number one cause of any skin cancer. Children need to have adequate protection from the sun so choose a sunscreen that has the essential quotient of SPF 50 and a sun lotion that has UVA & UVB both.
Shoes and footwear
Apart from clothing and a good lotion an important factor that needs to be considered is proper shoes whilst sending your child outdoors. Choose from Footwear that is both durable and light for your child to wear. Make sure that they do not cause unnecessary discomfort or cuts that might effect the sensitive skin and cause callouses on the heels or the ankles. Choose footwear that does not have laces so that children don’t trip. Its best to look for shoes that have velcro straps that eliminate the hassle of shoe laces.
Stay hydrated
Adequate hydration is an essential factor that is often overlooked. Children tend to forget to drink water or juice, they even stay hungry for long periods of time. It’s best to ensure your child has adequate water and other juices to keep them hydrated before sending them out.
Mini snacks
Children hardly take care of their hunger, they tend to get grumpy. It is best to satisfy their occasional hunger pangs with mini bites that are healthy. Instead of junk food, do give them a small snack of freshly cut fruit or crackers before they head out.
Being Asians, the sun is an important part of our lives, make sure that when you send your children outdoors, they are always well protected. They are the beacon of our future and deserve only the best. We need to up our game in terms of protection with today’s outbreak of disease and pollution. Safeguarding them and providing them with safety is essential to ensure a rosy future!
by Sheherazad Hussain