The summer of 2020 will be an extra-long for kids due to COVID 19 school closing guidelines. We need to teach tick bite protection strategies to your children. Kids need to know how to shield themselves and stay healthy, whether from COVID 19 or Tick-Borne Illness. Roll together and share social distancing guidelines and tick bite protection strategies with your kids. Both COVID 19 and Lyme will be around for a while and can have devastating health effects. In the warm sunny weather, we will be spending more time outdoors to reduce the risk of COVID 19 exposure. Protect your child from tick bites as part of outdoor activities.
Children learn through observation and often follow what their parents practice as much or more as what they teach. One way to protect your child is to model safe behavior consistently. If they see you taking the time to protect yourself by wearing a mask, social distancing, using repellant and covering up, they are more likely to as well. Check this link for tick bite protection strategies.
Teach Tick Bite Protection Strategies Build Habits –
Make Practices And Goals Clear Help Your Child model best behavior (Tell & Show)
- Use Tell, Show, Do. Review and modeling to teach your children.
- Assemble a plan and bring it up at a family meeting.
- Be pragmatic about what you are going to do and what you are asking them to do. (Tell) Make self-protection a new normal.
- Demonstrate instructions include pets and equipment. (Show)
- Periodically review actions and why. (Review)
Develop Tools To Support (Do)
- Create a protection station where a checklist and supplies are available with easy access for kids and adults alike. A shelf or crate by the door can work well.
- Add PPE (face-masks, gloves, sanitizer, colorful duct tape, child-safe repellent), a flashlight, a lint remover, and tip sheets to the protection station and remind them what to do.
- Use the station regularly.
- Go through the tools and show everyone how and when to use them.
- Have tweezers, alcohol, and band-aids to remove a tick available. Ask the kids to get you or an appropriate adult to help if removal is necessary. Quick removal of any attached ticks is essential.
- Draw a map and mark any known tick-infested places.
- Make or buy a tick bite protection kit for when kids travel.
Create The Habit & Reward Observance (Review)
- Let Dad’s or Mom’s living separately know about the protection plan and kit. Ask for their support.
- Check-in regularly
- Review Ask kids to demonstrate the repellent application, sock tucking and taping.
Have Fun With Tick Bite Protection
- Do you and let your kids do them. If they want pink tape and a Dora the explorer hat get them if you can.
- Make it as easy as possible for kids to get outdoors in their yard.
- Enjoy nature time with your family.
We face uncertainty as society and businesses reopen from COVID 19 shelter in place orders. Being in nature is one of our healthier options. Ticks are out in full force. Teach reasonable nurturing self-protection to your kids, not to generate fear, but inspire confidence as they enjoy free time.
The purpose of this article is to share and educate on Lyme disease recovery strategies. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment, or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.