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Healthy at Home:

A Toolkit for Supporting Families Impacted by COVID-19

In order to serve educators and families during the COVID-19 crisis, ReadyRosie developed this free toolkit as a resource to support families with information and resources for supporting the children in their care. The current content on this site will be available throughout the summer. We invite educators to explore ReadyRosie’s complete family engagement platform to help schools and programs partner with families throughout the summer and into the new school year. Learn more about ReadyRosie here.

What do I do if I am sick and have children at home?

The first thing you should do if you are sick is to follow medical advice to the best of your ability. This is the time to ask for help! Depending on your situation, reach out to family, friends, or a local organization. Explain to your children why you need to stay away and can't play with them right now. Reassure them that you look forward to playing with them when you are well again!

What are the best habits to help our family stay healthy and minimize sickness?

Some basic things that every parent should be teaching their kids on a daily basis to stay healthy include simple, good hygiene: Brush teeth every day. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Be considerate by covering coughs and sneezes. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands. Get adequate rest so that your immune system works better.

When should I keep my child home to prevent spreading illness?

A child with a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher needs to stay home from school or any group gatherings. It could be the very beginning of an illness. This avoids contaminating a workplace, daycare, or school setting to keep it healthy for everyone else.

When should I take my sick child to see a doctor?

Always trust your intuition! If your infant (3 months and younger) has a fever of 100.4 or higher, is feeding poorly, or breathing really fast, they need an evaluation. Children older than three months with a fever of 102, drinking less, or with difficulty breathing should see a physician.

What should I do to take care of a sick child at home?

When you have a sick child at home, there are several things to consider: Make the child comfortable. Keep hydrated with extra water or juice. Distance healthy children from the sick child as much as possible. Encourage everyone to regularly and carefully wash hands. Finally, be thoughtful of older family and friends that are more susceptible to illness.