Let’s face it, there’s nothing better than spending a beautiful day outdoors! When the weather is great, young children love to burn all of their energy in the backyard, playground or splashing around in the pool. Unfortunately, these outdoor days can also cause sunburns. Sunburns are terrible for a young child’s skin and cause a lot of skin issues later on in life. THE Children’s Academy, is a daycare in Franklin TN, with extended hours, shares sun safety tips for parents and caregivers to utilize when it’s time to play outside.

Use Sunscreen

The number one rule before playing outdoors should be sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. In fact, dermatologists recommend putting on sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. Young children, toddlers, and babies all have sensitive skin, so sunscreen is a must for our little ones. But remember that all sunscreens are not created equal. Try to find a sunscreen that’s specifically made for babies or children. You want to make sure that you’re choosing a sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB rays. Your child’s sunscreen should also say ‘broad-spectrum’ on the bottle and should be at least 30 SPF. Typically, these types of sunscreens won’t contain ingredients that can cause irritation. A good rule of thumb is to always make sure you’re choosing a sunscreen that has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are the two necessary ingredients that should be in children’s sunscreens.

Wear Protective Gear

Beyond the sunscreen, children should also be wearing protective gear such as hats, sunglasses, and UPF long sleeve shirts. UPF shirts (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) are made with a breathable fabric that can protect the skin from harmful rays. Sunglasses should also be an essential part of your child’s sun protection gear. Exposing the eyes to the sun’s dangerous rays at an early age can cause eye issues, like cataracts, later on in life. Hats are also great for preventing sunburns on the scalp, nose, cheeks, and ears. Try to find hats for children that have a big circular brim for optimal protection. Avoid visors or baseball caps.

Stay in the Shade

Umbrellas, big trees, tents, and awnings are your friends during hot sunny days! The shade doesn’t only protect from the sun’s harmful rays, but it can also prevent heat exhaustion. When spending a day outside, try to find a nice shady area for young children to play. It’ll be safer and more enjoyable to build a sandcastle under an umbrella!

Avoid Strong Sun Hours

It’s also a good idea to avoid going outside when the sun is at its peak hours. If possible, try to stay inside between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, especially in the summertime. Mornings and late afternoons are a lot safer for babies’ and toddlers’ sensitive skin. It’s also important to remember that children and adults can still get a sunburn on a cloudy day. The sun’s rays are powerful! UVA and UVB rays can still harm your skin, even when it’s cloudy or overcast. THE Children’s Academy always uses sun safety activities for preschoolers and knows how important sun protection is. For more sun safety tips, contact the experts at THE Children’s Academy today and speak with a representative!

We have two convenient locations: Preschool in Franklin, TN, at (615) 790-2273 or Preschool in Spring Hill, TN, at (615) 302-0950.