August 3, 2021
You can weave promoting development into discussing common medical issues! This time of year, many families may be concerned about ticks and how to prevent Lyme disease. You can help families develop routines to make tick bites and Lyme disease less likely and to discuss the importance of routines, outdoor play, and promoting a child’s autonomy!
Some suggestions for families:
1) Go outside for physical activity (outdoor play is great for development!)
2) Try to have children pick out pants and long sleeve shirts they’d like to wear (giving choices = promotes autonomy)
3) Use insect repellent and ask children to follow simple directions (“show me your ankles to spray”) or follow the same order of putting repellent on (following directions, following sequences = promotes self-regulation)
4) Make sure to bathe every night (removes non-attached ticks) and incorporate tick checks every night (a tick needs to be on a person for at least 24-48 hours to transmit Lyme). (Having consistent routines helps with self-regulation and behavior).
Reminder: If parents do find a tick, they should remove it with a fine-tip tweezer and call their provider if it has likely been attached for more than 24-48 hours.
