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Date: 6 January 2025
Back to school after winter vacation
By Shah Faisal Attari
The School Hygiene Series: Chapter One
Manahil, a cheerful 5-year-old, was full of excitement as the winter break ended. She had missed her friends and teachers and was eager to return to her kindergarten class in chilly Islamabad, Pakistan. The cold mornings were still harsh but wrapped in her cosy woollen scarf and a new jacket, she seemed ready to take on the day. Her mother, Maria, who was also a teacher, had worked hard to balance the holiday rush with her job, determined to make the return to school as smooth as possible. But as the first week ended, Manahil came home looking tired and coughing lightly. By the next morning, her giggles had turned into sniffles, and she lay in bed with a fever. Maria was heartbroken, what had gone wrong despite all the careful preparations for the cold winter?
In part one of this series, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help parents and teachers navigate the challenges of winter routines, ensuring the health and comfort of children like Manahil, as well as older students like her brothers, Bilal and Yasir, who are in Class 1 and Class 6 respectively. For working women like Maria, juggling home responsibilities with teaching demands during chilly mornings can be overwhelming. Fortunately, these winter months can be managed effectively with the right planning and support. From essential winter preparations for young learners to fostering warm and safe environments in schools, we shall provide actionable advice to avoid situations like Manahil’s and keep students thriving, no matter how cold the season gets.
Lessons for Parents – Preparing Young Children for Winter School Days
Maria’s mornings were nothing short of a marathon. Between preparing breakfast, ensuring her three kids — Manahil, Bilal and Yasir — were properly dressed, and getting herself ready for her classroom responsibilities, she barely had time to take a deep breath. As a teacher, Maria knew how important it was to lead by example, especially in maintaining hygiene and ensuring her children were well-equipped for the day ahead. However, winter mornings brought unique challenges that required Maria to rethink her routine to ensure her children’s health and well-being.
- Winter Precautions for Children Under 12 Years
Have you noticed how your skin feels tighter and flakier during winter? That’s the cold air draining moisture from your skin. Combine this with the fact that people tend to drink less water in winter (because they don’t feel as thirsty), and dehydration becomes a hidden enemy. The fix? Keep a water bottle handy and hydrate regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. These simple yet effective winter skin care practices ensure your skin stays healthy and radiant.- Dressing
Maria learned that ensuring their comfort and health started with their attire. Thermal vests and leggings under their uniforms provided a solid base layer, while insulated jackets, woollen caps, gloves, and thick socks added much-needed warmth. Waterproof boots helped keep their feet dry and warm, especially when navigating icy paths to school. Maria also realised that overdressing could lead to sweating, which might make the children feel colder once outside, so balancing their clothing layers became crucial.- Nutrition
Nutrition played a vital role in helping her children combat the cold. Maria began preparing warm, nutritious breakfasts to fuel their energy for the day. For Manahil, porridge with honey or dates was a quick and healthy option, while Bilal enjoyed boiled eggs with whole-grain bread and a glass of warm milk with nuts. Maria ensured breakfast was served promptly, knowing that a full stomach provided the energy to endure the frosty mornings.- Transportation
As Manahil’s recent illness highlighted the need for safer transport, Maria took a closer look at their school van. She realised that proper heating in the vehicle, adequate seating arrangements, and avoiding overcrowding were critical. She made sure the driver kept the windows closed to prevent drafts from chilling the children.- Hygiene
Hygiene became another focus for Maria, as colds and flu spread easily among young children in the winter. She replaced bar soaps with handwash bottles, which were more hygienic and easier to use in shared school settings. Instead of cloth handkerchiefs, she provided BeJaan Soft Pack Tissues for her children, ensuring they always had a clean and disposable option for runny noses or sneezes. - Winter Precautions for Children Over 12 Years
Older children like Yasir, while more independent, still required guidance to stay safe and healthy during the winter.- Dressing
Maria ensured Yasir dressed appropriately for the weather, including layering his clothing with thermals and a durable, insulated jacket. Like his younger siblings, he wore waterproof boots and carried gloves and a woollen cap, even if he found them less “cool” among his peers.- Nutrition
Nutrition remained a priority for Yasir as well. Maria prepared hearty breakfasts, such as parathas with warm milk or protein-rich meals like eggs and bread, to sustain his energy levels during long school hours.- Projects & Hygiene
School projects and activities required extra planning in the winter. To avoid last-minute stress, Maria worked with Yasir to plan his assignments and projects, ensuring he had all the supplies he needed. She packed a BeJaan Tissue Roll in his bag for creative work or emergencies, as it was practical and hygienic.
Maria’s Own Winter Readiness
As a teacher and mother, Maria couldn’t afford to neglect her preparation. She began carrying a small bottle of handwash to school, setting an example for her students by encouraging them to wash their hands before meals and after playtime. A pack of BeJaan Soft Tissues in her bag ensured she could maintain her hygiene throughout the day. To save time in the mornings, Maria prepped meals and packed school bags the night before, easing the morning rush.
The Teacher’s Role in Winter Hygiene and Well-being
Maria, as a dedicated teacher, always believed her role extended beyond just achieving learning outcomes in the classroom. For her, ensuring the health and well-being of her students during the harsh winter months was just as important. She treated her students like her own children, knowing that a warm, healthy child is better equipped to learn and thrive. In a season where the cold could sap enthusiasm and health, Maria took proactive steps to create a warm, safe, and nurturing environment for her students.
- Creating a Warm Classroom Environment
Maria began each day by checking that her classroom was a welcoming space against the biting chill outside. She collaborated with the school administration to ensure heaters were functioning efficiently and that windows and doors were sealed to prevent draughts. Desks were arranged away from cold walls, and thick mats were placed on the floor to add insulation. These measures created a cosy learning space where children could focus on their lessons without shivering through the day.
Movement Breaks
To combat the lethargy that the cold often brought, Maria incorporated movement breaks into her teaching. Short exercises, stretches, and fun activities like winter-themed storytelling or art projects not only helped her students stay warm but also kept them engaged and active. - Encouraging Kindness and Acts of Generosity
Maria observed her class and noticed that some students came to school without proper winter clothing. Whether it was a lack of warm coats, scarves or gloves, she knew these children were more vulnerable to the harsh weather. Instead of singling them out, Maria worked discreetly with the school management to arrange sweater or coat distribution drives for students in need.Maria also encouraged her students to embrace acts of kindness by sharing what they could spare, whether it was a pair of gloves or an extra scarf. - Promoting Healthy Winter Habits
Maria recognised that winter illnesses, such as colds and flu, spread quickly in classrooms. To address this, she introduced hygiene lessons as part of her daily routine. She showed her students how to wash their hands properly, explained the importance of covering their mouths when sneezing or coughing, and encouraged them to use tissues instead of their sleeves. For this, Maria kept a supply of BeJaan Tissues in the classroom, ensuring all children had access to them.When she noticed a child showing signs of illness, she gently informed the parents and school management, stressing the importance of rest and care. - Engaging Students with Winter-Themed Activities
Maria believed that learning could be intertwined with seasonal awareness. To make her students more conscious of winter hygiene and safety, she organised:
- Poster Exhibitions: Children created posters with healthy winter tips, such as dressing warmly, drinking warm fluids, and washing hands regularly. These were displayed in the school corridors to spread awareness.
- Winter-Themed Lessons: Maria used the season as a theme for art, writing, and even science lessons. Topics like “Why do we feel cold?” and “The importance of warm clothing” made the children think critically about their environment.
- Class Discussions on Neglected Issues: Maria held talks about how some people couldn’t afford warm clothing and brainstormed ways her students could help, encouraging them to practise empathy and compassion.
- Building a Community of Care
Maria believed that a teacher’s role did not stop at the classroom door. By fostering a sense of community, she ensured that everyone — from students to parents — played a part in creating a supportive environment. She urged parents to check their children’s winter wear daily and informed them if a child needed extra layers.
By working together, we can ensure that no child feels the chill of neglect this winter. Let’s create warm classrooms, homes and hearts to help every student thrive, no matter how cold the season gets.
- Creating a Warm Classroom Environment
