Tips for Teaching Your Children About Head Lice

If you have school-age children, then you understand the possibility of them one day coming home from class or summer camp with head lice. Before that happens, though, you should take some time to teach your children about head lice and what can be done to prevent an infestation. From the life cycle of lice to items to avoid sharing, there are several ways you can prepare your children for a potential lice outbreak. Here are a few tips for teaching your children about head lice:

• Learn together. The first step in teaching your children about head lice is making it a whole family learning process. Parents and children alike have a lot to learn about head lice. When the whole family is on the same page, then everyone can work together to keep the home lice-free. If your children’s school has a lice screening, take that opportunity to prepare your children, teaching them about head lice and what they can do to prevent an infestation.
• Make preventative measures routine. Children do especially well with routines they can count on. Making lice-prevention part of your family’s daily routine is a sure way to reduce the risk of an infestation. For example, have separate bins in the entryway for each family member’s outdoor wear and make it routine for everyone to put their own items in their respective bins after school or work. The more children learn not to share certain items at home, the more it will become a habit at school, at friends houses, and around the community.
• Use children’s books to make the topic more intriguing. There is an assortment of children’s books out there telling stories of head lice. Usually done in a comical or light-hearted way, these books are especially good for teaching younger children about head lice. The visual aspect is helpful, as these books make head lice a much less scary subject!
• Make it clear that anyone can get head lice. There are so many rumors about head lice floating around schools that it is very easy for children to feel looked down upon or made to feel less-than their peers for having head lice. If children know the truth before they are put in such circumstances, they have a much better chance of dealing with the rumors and those who spread them.
• Show your children that they are not alone. Often, when a child gets head lice, they can feel alone and isolated from friends and family. An important part of teaching your children about head lice is instilling a sense of comfort and inclusion in the family. The more your whole family can work through this together, the better off everyone will be!

If the inevitable lice outbreak happens at school or summer camp then you know you can count on Pediatric Hair Solutions to provide a quick and efficient treatment! Our friendly and experienced healthcare professionals are here to provide the best care for your family.