Cold and Flu Myths: Sorting Fact from Fiction

It starts with a sniffle -- next thing you know, the whole household is sneezing, coughing, and passing tissues.  Before long, the common cold, or worse, seasonal flu, is upon you.

 

According to the CDC, up to 20% of the population gets the flu each year. The Mayo Clinic cites the common cold as the number one culprit of stay-home-sick-from-school days in children.

 

While you can't completely germ-proof your child, you can separate fact from fiction to keep your family healthier, and save time, money, and frustration. Start by putting some of the more common myths and misunderstandings to rest by reading about the top 3 cold and flu related myths.

 

Myth #1: The flu vaccine causes the flu

Truth: Getting a flu shot may cause symptoms that feel like the flu, but the viruses contained in the flu shots have been killed, or "inactivated." which means they can't cause infection. While there may be some achy side effects that can sometimes follow the flu shot, it just means your immune system is responding and processing the vaccine.

 

Myth #2: You're more likely to get sick if you're cold

Truth: Despite mom's warnings that you should bundle up, being cold does not cause a cold. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, infections prevail in winter months because they are spread when more people stay indoors for longer periods of time and are in closer contact with each other.

 

Myth #3: Hugging and kissing are great ways to spread cold and flu germs.

Truth: Cold and flu viruses like to enter the body through the nose or eyes, so a hug or a peck on the cheek isn't likely to be dangerous. Don't be afraid to give your sick child plenty of affection, and don't worry that a kiss or hug will spread your germs to him (or vice- versa).

 

Many parents recognize The Little Gym locations as safe and clean gyms for children. We work hard to ensure each and every visit lives up to your expectations. Daily and weekly cleaning and sanitation helps keep our environment sparkly and keeps the germs away. 

 

Here’s where you can help. As with any other illness, we ask that you do not come to class if your child is coughing, sneezing, or has had a fever within the last 24 hours. Our generous make-up policy allows you to attend a make-up class by simply calling us prior to the absence. We even allow siblings to make up classes in their own age group!
"Parenting Resolutions" for the New Year!
Each new Year is a new opportunity to focus on making positive changes in your life. While this is a great habit for everyone, it’s especially important for parents. Why? Because the choices that you make not only benefit you, they have a direct effect on your child’s health, too!
 
Here are 3 parenting resolutions to consider for 2012:
 
1. Instill a love for physical activitiy. Physical activity provides countless benefits. So, it’s important to help your child develop healthy habits at an early age. In addition to gymnastics, The Little Gym has several physical activities for kids, such as Sports Skills, Karate and Dance, which can help your child develop a love for an active lifestyle.
 
2. Establish healthy eating habits. Keep healthy, yummy snacks on hand and set an example for your child with your own food choices. Plan low fat meals that follow the government's MyPlate guidelines and involve your children in meal planning and shopping. This allows you to reinforce your child’s healthy meal options and helps children discover new foods and flavors.
 
3. Focus on your child's positive behaviors. Like adults, children respond to favorable comments and adopt behaviors that gain them attention. Try to get in the habit of catching your children “at their best.” Providing encouragement for good behavior or for achievements in sports or other physical activities is a great way to motivate children to maintain good habits.
 
While you help your children develop healthy habits, don’t forget to make resolutions for your own health as well. In fact, consider resolving to get some well-deserved “me” time this year. Planning some time away from the kids should be considered a necessity rather than a luxury. Plus, brief separations are beneficial for kids as well. Time away helps foster a feeling of independence and builds bonds with other adults such as grandma, a favorite neighbor, or The Little Gym instructors. And if you need a parent’s night out, our Parents’ Survival Nights have got you covered!
 
As we start the New Year, we’re thrilled to have helped so many children in the Colorado Springs area develop an appreciation for fitness and fun with our kids gym classes.  We’re still taking enrollments for students that want to join for the second half of the 2011-2012 Season. For more information, or to schedule a free introductory class, please contact a team member at (719)447-9153 today!
Baby, it's cold outside - which makes it a perfect time to be inside at The Little Gym!

Teeth are chattering, jackets are zipping, and hot cocoas are pouring.

It‟s definitely getting colder out there, but here at The Little Gym of Colorado Springs, kids are staying toasty warm. Their bodies are in motion and their minds are too. Kids in The Little Gym Parent/Child classes are exploring their worlds, gaining independence and trying new skills. The structured lessons of our Pre-K gymnastics programs are helping kids with listening skills and following directions while also emphasizing balance and coordination. Our Kindergarten level gymnastics kids are learning to work in groups and cooperate because we know controlling emotions is as important as body control and agility.

All the Flips, Twisters, Aerials, Hot Shots and Flic Flacs of our Grade School Gymnastics programs are strengthening their bodies and getting a springboard (pun intended) of confidence. Plus, our Dance kids are twirling like snowflakes, Sports Skills kids are improving arm strength for throwing snowballs, and our Karate students are practically chopping firewood with their bare hands (okay, a slight exaggeration).

Don't forget - we also have great winter day camps Dec. 21st and 26th-30th. And if you want to plan a post-holiday date night, we'll be having another Parents' Survival Night on Saturday, January 21st from 6:00-9:00pm.

Finally, remember that giving someone some Serious Fun is an excellent gift. We have gift certificates available if you want to give the unique gift of skill building and Three-Dimensional Learning.

Til next time,

Your friends in fitness, fun and fundamentals at The Little Gym of Colorado Springs

All-Team Training Event
Our entire team will be heading up to Denver for a The Little Gym International training on November 5th & 6th.
 
On Saturday, November 5th, we will close at 10:30am. If your child is enrolled in the 10:30am Funny Bugs, 11:30am Giggle Worms/Good Friends, or 12:30pm Grade School class, you will automatically receive a make up on your account to use at any time.
 
We WILL be holding class on Saturday, November 26th in order to allow those Saturday students who are affected by the closure to attend a make up class that day if they choose.
Directions to The Little Gym
Heading north on Powers Blvd, turn right (east) on N. Carefree, turn left at the 2nd light onto Tutt Blvd (north), turn right into Tutt Commercial Center, just past the Salvation Army Family Store. We are in the South building, around the corner from BlackJack Pizza.

Heading south on Powers Blvd, turn left (east) on Barnes Rd, turn right at the first light onto Tutt Blvd (south), turn left into Tutt Commercial Center (directly across from CarMax). We are in the South building, around the corner from BlackJack Pizza.
Well Child Agreement

To ensure a clean, and safe environment for your children The Little Gym of Colorado Springs promises to

  • provide hand sanitizer for use both before & after class
  • maintain a strict cleaning regimen
  • provide make-up classes if your child is unable to attend due to illness or a sibling's illness

We ask that you monitor your child's health and call (719)447-9153 for an excused absence (and to schedule a make up class) if they:

  • have had a fever within the last 24 hours
  • have a cough or runny nose
  • seem unable to participate fully in class due to not feeling well

If you have another child who is sick, please refrain from bringing them into the facility. We will be happy to assist your student to and from the car and can speak to you one-on-one about their successes in class that day. Please call the gym at 447-9153 if we can be of assistance in this way.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our The Little Gym a place where members can have SERIOUS FUN in a healthy environment!

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