Stay Cool: Teaching Children How to Beat the Heat with these 5 Tips
The Gauteng Tourism Authority has issued a warning of a severe heatwave hitting 6 provinces in South Africa
Photo credits to Ziyaad Plaatjes
Whilst many of us are aware of how to protect our health and well-being, children may not always recognise the dangers of extreme heat or know how to protect themselves.
It is essential for us to help them understand about heatwaves in a way that is both informative and age-appropriate.
1. Explain to your children what a Heatwave is:
"A heatwave is when the weather becomes more hotter than usual. We feel very hot and uncomfortable." There are many child-friendly books, cartoons, or keeping it digital - videos online, that can explain weather and how to keep safe in an engaging way that resonates with our children.
2. Make it a Fun Learning Experience:
Children will always make learning seem like an effort, and a lesson (no matter how well it has been taught) can fall on deaf ears if they feel like "it's another thing to learn". By playing a game that makes sure they follow the tips on staying cool during the heatwave, or being creative in the way that you teach them, they will be more likely to engage.
Other ways of encouraging children to stay at home whilst the sun is at its highest, is to create homemade ice lollies.
3. Teach them the Importance of Staying Hydrated:
Encourage children to drink water regularly, even if they're not thirsty. Explain to them that our bodies lose water, when it is hot outside and drinking water helps us to feel better and stay healthy.
4. Encourage Sun Protection and Wearing Light Clothing:
Most of our children tend to dress themselves and sometimes their clothing choices are questionable, so we need to help them choose cool, light clothes for hot days. We also need to explain to them that the sun can harm our skin if we are outside for too long, so we need to wear sunscreen and hats to keep our skin safe.
5. Most importantly, Set an Example:
As adults, we tend to forget to look after ourselves or give ourselves the same advise that we would give to a child, but children often mimic our behaviour. If we stay inside during the hottest part of the day, drink water regularly, and remember to look after ourselves by not over-exerting ourselves, we not only look after our well-being, but we set a good example for our children.
By making safety a fun and interactive experience, as well as simplifying the concept of a heatwave, we can teach our children how to protect themselves and stay safe during the extreme heat.
Nabihah Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com. She is an Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Change Agent, Published Contributing Author, Journalist, Marketing and Social Media Specialist, a Bachelor of Arts graduate, and has been writing since the age of 9. Nabihah has recently been elected as the CEO of the Independent Media Association of South Africa. Nabihah is passionate about Brand Awareness and Brand Loyalty and uses her knowledge in these fields together with her copywriting, editing and proof-reading skills to bring brands to life. iloveza.com is a primary example of how she can build your brand. Find her at: Instagram: @nabihah_dp / @ilovezacom Twitter: @nabihahd / @ilovezacom Facebook: iloveza.com LinkedIn: Nabihah Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com E-mail: nabihah@iloveza.com
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