So let’s talk about teaching children about sun protection. We have separated children’s sun protection into two categories. 1. Babies and Sun Protection and 2. Kids and Sun Protection…. Babies and Sun Protection

Baby skin is thinner than adult skin and is more easily sunburned.

• Overcast days are not a time to be lax on sun protection since most of the sun rays come through the clouds.

Possibly the most important suggestion we can make for teaching young children good sun safety habits, is for you to wear your sun protective clothing, sun hat and sunglasses. Kids and Sun Protection

Choose a sunscreen formulated for children with an SPF of at least 15.

This give the sunscreen time to work on the skin.

Lips contain little or no melanin (the bodies first defense against sun damage) making them especially vulnerable to sun damage.

Teaching kids good sun protection habits seem to fall in four basic categories: A. Emulation, B. Peer pressure, C. Fun, and D. Ease
When outdoors have everyone wear sun protective clothing, a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Talk about sun protection.

If possible, get the “leader of the pack” or popular kids to wear sun protective clothing and a sun hat.

i. Small children love rhymes. Let kids pick their own sun protective outfits. Easier and more effective than sunscreen is clothing made of sun protective fabric.

Doesn’t everyday clothing provide sun protection? The answer is yes, anything you put between you and the sun will help block the sun’s rays. When worn wet on dry land, your child will get evaporative cooling.

Lastly, be sun safe yourself.

Baby Sun Protection ; Child Sun Protection – Teaching Your Kids About Sun Safety

All children love having time to play with toys. Improvements in diagnosis methods have allowed pediatricians and other professionals to determine at a much younger age what help a child may need. Even older special needs children can benefit from basic toys such as blocks, mirrors, and balls of all sizes. They help children work on these all important skills.

Toys like textured balls, sand and water tables, and lacing boards can help children feel calm and comforted by touching. For parents of special needs children, these toys can help enhance learning at home as well.