Flu Season Is Here! How to Keep Preschoolers Healthy This Fall and Winter

As the weather changes and the holiday season approaches, families are preparing for cooler days, festive celebrations, and plenty of fun at preschool! Fall and winter also bring flu season, making it an important time for parents and caregivers to focus on children's health and wellness.

At Poway Hilltop Preschool, we know that keeping little learners healthy is an important part of helping them learn, play, explore, and thrive. With a few healthy habits and some preparation, families can help reduce the spread of seasonal illnesses and keep their little ones feeling their best.

Whether you're looking for information about the flu vaccine for children, common flu symptoms in preschoolers, or ways to prevent the flu at daycare and preschool, here's what parents need to know this flu season.

When Is the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?

The best time to get your child's annual flu shot is before Halloween, ideally during September or October. Getting vaccinated early helps give the body time to develop protection before flu viruses become more widespread.

However, if October has already passed and your child hasn't received their flu vaccine, don't worry! It's not too late to get a flu shot. Children can still benefit from flu vaccination throughout the flu season while influenza viruses are circulating.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, with limited exceptions. Some children between six months and eight years old may need two doses, depending on their vaccination history.

A few important things to remember:

• Vaccinate annually: The flu vaccine is updated as needed, and children should receive a seasonal flu vaccine each year.

• Plan ahead: It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protective antibodies.

• Don't miss your opportunity: If your child hasn't received their flu shot yet, contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider to discuss vaccination.

• Ask about your child's needs: Your child's healthcare provider can determine whether one or two doses are recommended.

The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications in children.

What Are the Common Flu Symptoms in Children?

The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Although it can sometimes resemble a common cold, the flu can cause more severe symptoms and may lead to complications, particularly in young children.

Knowing the signs of influenza can help parents recognize when their child may need extra rest or medical attention.

Common flu symptoms in children include:

• Fever or chills

• Cough and sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Headaches

• Muscle aches or body aches

• Unusual tiredness or low energy

• Decreased appetite

• Vomiting or diarrhea, which can occur more often in children than adults

Flu symptoms can develop suddenly, and not every child will experience the same symptoms. Some children may also have influenza without a fever.

If your child develops flu-like symptoms, contact your pediatrician if you have concerns, especially if your child is very young or has an underlying health condition. Seek urgent medical care for warning signs such as difficulty breathing, bluish lips, dehydration, unusual difficulty waking, or symptoms that improve and then return or worsen.

Why Is Flu Prevention Important at Preschool?

Preschool is a wonderful place for children to build friendships, develop social skills, and discover the world around them. It is also an environment where germs can spread easily as children share toys, play closely together, and learn everyday hygiene habits.

Young children, especially those under five years old, have a higher risk of developing certain serious flu complications. This makes flu prevention particularly important for preschool families.

Although no prevention strategy can eliminate every risk, combining annual flu vaccination with healthy daily habits can help reduce the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

At home and at preschool, families and caregivers can help protect children by practicing good hygiene, encouraging healthy habits, and keeping sick children home when needed.

7 Simple Ways to Help Prevent the Flu at Preschool

1. Encourage Frequent Handwashing

Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the simplest ways to help reduce the spread of germs.

Encourage your preschooler to wash their hands:

• Before eating snacks or meals

• After using the bathroom

• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose

• After outdoor play

• When returning home from school or public places

Make handwashing fun by singing a short song while scrubbing!

2. Teach Children to Cover Their Coughs and Sneezes

Help little learners practice coughing or sneezing into their elbow or a tissue instead of their hands. If they use a tissue, encourage them to throw it away and wash their hands afterward.

These small habits can make a big difference in helping children learn how to prevent the spread of germs.

3. Stay Home When Your Child Is Sick

We understand how difficult it can be to rearrange work and family schedules when a little one isn't feeling well. However, keeping sick children home helps protect classmates, teachers, and other families.

For respiratory illnesses, the CDC advises returning to normal activities when symptoms have been improving overall for at least 24 hours and any fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Additional precautions may be helpful during the following five days.

Always follow your preschool's illness and return-to-school policies, which may include additional requirements for particular symptoms or diagnoses.

4. Keep Frequently Touched Surfaces Clean

Toys, tables, doorknobs, and other shared surfaces can become contaminated with germs. Regular cleaning and appropriate disinfection of frequently touched surfaces are important parts of a healthy preschool environment.

At home, remember to clean commonly handled items, especially when someone in the family is sick.

5. Support Healthy Sleep Habits

Preschoolers need plenty of sleep to support their growth, development, learning, and overall well-being. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help children get the rest they need.

A calming bedtime story, a warm bath, and a predictable sleep schedule can help make nighttime routines easier for the whole family.

6. Offer Nutritious Foods and Plenty of Fluids

A balanced diet helps support children's overall health. Offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein-rich foods, and other nutritious choices throughout the day.

Encourage children to drink water regularly, particularly after active play. Remember that healthy food and hydration support general wellness but do not replace flu vaccination or other preventive measures.

7. Make Flu Vaccination Part of Your Annual Health Routine

Scheduling your child's flu shot each year is an important step in preparing for fall and winter illnesses.

If possible, make an appointment before Halloween. If that timing doesn't work for your family, reach out to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated later in the season.

Protecting children through vaccination can also help protect vulnerable members of the community, including infants who are too young to receive a flu vaccine and people at higher risk of serious illness.

When Should You Contact Your Child's Pediatrician?

If you suspect your child has the flu, your pediatrician can help determine the best next steps. Because young children can be more vulnerable to flu complications, it's especially important to seek guidance if your child is under five, has a chronic health condition, or seems unusually unwell.

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you suspect influenza, since antiviral medication may be appropriate for some children and works best when started early.

Seek immediate medical attention if your child experiences difficulty breathing, severe dehydration, bluish lips or face, a seizure, difficulty waking, or other severe or concerning
symptoms.

When in doubt, trust your instincts and reach out to your child's healthcare provider.

Let's Work Together for a Healthier Flu Season!

At Poway Hilltop Preschool, we believe that healthy habits start early. By teaching children to wash their hands, cover coughs and sneezes, get plenty of rest, and practice everyday hygiene, we can help them develop skills that benefit them well beyond their preschool years.

As we head into fall and winter, we encourage families to speak with their healthcare providers about annual flu vaccination and to stay informed about seasonal illnesses.

Remember: Before Halloween is an ideal time to get your child's flu shot, but it's not too late if you haven't scheduled it yet! Flu vaccination can still be beneficial later in the season while flu viruses are circulating.

Thank you for partnering with us to support a happy, healthy preschool community. Here's to a wonderful season filled with learning, laughter, and healthy little learners!

Please note: This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your child's healthcare provider for personalized recommendations regarding flu vaccination, symptoms, and treatment.

Learn more: Visit the CDC's influenza information page for current guidance on flu prevention, vaccination, and caring for children during flu season.

Related Blogs:
Hand Washing
Dressing Children for Cold Weather
Keeping Cups Clean
Common Cold
Dealing with Dry Skin