Teaching toddlers about benefits, harms
As much as Shreveport- Bossier City residents loathe the heat of a Louisiana summer, our bodies need the vitamin D.
As a vitamin, which helps us absorb calcium for healthy bones, you could understand why everyone, no matter the age, should spend about 10-15 minutes outside about three days a week, depending on skin tone, to soak it up.
Now, we are taught at an early age that too much sun exposure is bad as overexposure can cause sunburns and/or lead to skin cancer. In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. So it is understandable to make sun safety a top priority for your family during these summer months; you don’t, however, need to stay indoors to practice sun safety.
To begin a lesson on sun safety, you can start with the basics: Sunlight is made up of two types of harmful rays. UVA rays are associated with aging, while UBV rays tend to cause sunburns. For sunscreen to be most effective against these rays, apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, even on cloudy days. (While applying sunscreen to your toddler before heading outdoors, keep in mind it’s equally important for them to understand why.) Use sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher, and apply it to all exposed areas of skin, including cheeks, neck, arms, legs, behind the ears and nose. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or running through a sprinkler.
For more protection, dress in lightweight clothing that covers as much of the body as possible. Wear hats with a brim, and use sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection.
Plus, as a detail sometimes overlooked, consider any medications your child might be taking; some medications increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, making skin more susceptible to sunburn.
Creative games for teaching sun safety include: Decorate hats or visors to wear outside; play the “shade game” or Simon Says: Sunscreen. (The shade game simply entails announcing, “Put your toes in the shade,” with “toes” being interchangeable with “knee,” “pinkie,” etc.)
Do keep in mind it’s important to not spend time outside in the sun during its peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Once you do move back inside, there are a few books with sunrelated stories you can read aloud to your child: “The Colors of Us” by Karen Katz; “Moonbear’s Shadow” by Frank Asch; “One Hot Summer Day” by Nina Crews and “Shadows and Reflections” by Tana Hoban.
Why is this important? Children need a positive message regarding our sun as we need it to help build strong bones and sustain our gardens. Be sure to also take part in your instruction by applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and using sunglasses.
For more information, visit childhealthonline.org/ sunsafetytraining.htm.
