Children who are accustomed to hardening are generally more cheerful, catch colds less often, and are less susceptible to infectious diseases. When they do get sick, they tend to recover more easily and with fewer complications. The main principles of hardening a child include gradual exposure, consistency, consideration of individual characteristics, and regular medical supervision.
It’s important to gradually acclimate children to lower temperatures. This requires a strict individual approach based on their age and health status, as not all children respond the same way to temperature fluctuations.
Air baths play a significant role in hardening. Younger children should be encouraged to spend time outdoors in light clothing. Over-bundling can lead to overheating and colds. Air baths are recommended for children at temperatures no lower than 64-68°F (18-20°C), with durations ranging from 10 minutes to 1 hour, during which children should remain active.
For children who frequently catch colds or have recently recovered from illness, air baths can be taken at temperatures no lower than 72°F (22°C), with a duration of 5-6 minutes.
Water procedures are also crucial for strengthening a child’s body, including wiping, dousing, and bathing. For younger children, wiping should start with water at 89.6°F (32°C) and gradually decrease to 68-72°F (20-22°C) for 3-4 year-olds, and to 64-66°F (18-19°C) for younger schoolchildren. The duration of this procedure should be 3-4 minutes. For older schoolchildren, the water temperature should not be lower than 64°F (18°C).
Dousing in the summer should be done outdoors with water temperatures no lower than 66°F (19°C), lasting 2-3 minutes. After dousing, the child should be dried off quickly. For nervous, easily excitable children, the water should be warmed to 95-96.8°F (35-36°C).
The most effective way to harden children in the summer is through swimming in rivers, lakes, or the sea, which is permitted for children over 3 years old. Preschoolers should start swimming in calm, sunny weather with air temperatures no lower than 77-79°F (25-26°C) and water temperatures no lower than 73-72°F (23-22°C), starting with once a day. School-aged children can swim twice a day, with breaks of 2-3 hours, even in cooler water and air temperatures. In the first few days, they should stay in the water for no more than 1-2 minutes, gradually increasing to 10 minutes. For children who can swim, the time spent in the water can be increased to 15-20 minutes.
Sunbathing is another effective method for boosting a child’s health. Exposure to sunlight significantly enhances the body’s resistance to infections and colds. A key condition for sun exposure is to gradually increase the duration: starting from 2-3 minutes up to 25-30 minutes for younger schoolchildren and up to 45-60 minutes for older students. After sunbathing, water procedures are beneficial.
During children’s rest periods, it’s essential to focus on their physical activity. Research shows that well-organized physical education positively impacts a child’s mental and physical development. Healthy, hardened, and physically active children miss fewer classes due to colds and grasp educational material more effectively. Such children are more productive, tire less easily, and overcome challenges with greater ease. Through physical exercise, children develop a conscious attitude toward work. Group training fosters habits of mutual assistance and support, teaching them to prioritize collective interests over personal desires.
Moreover, physical education is closely linked to labor education and polytechnic training. Engaging in gymnastics, sports, and games helps children develop proper posture and coordination, contributing to their physical development and health.
For preschoolers, systematic physical education sessions should also be conducted during rest periods to enhance their motor skills.
When selecting physical exercises for children under 7, it’s important to consider that their lung tissue is not fully developed. Their nasal passages, trachea, and bronchi are relatively narrow, making it harder for air to reach the lungs. The diaphragm is positioned high, resulting in limited breathing movement. Children breathe more shallowly and frequently than adults. Shallow breathing can lead to poor lung ventilation, making it especially important for children to engage in physical activities outdoors to stimulate gas exchange.
The cardiovascular system of preschoolers is well-adapted to the demands of a growing body. Compared to adults, children’s blood vessels are wider, allowing for freer blood flow, shorter pathways for circulation, and a faster heart rate. However, the nervous regulation of the heart in young children is not fully developed, leading to quick excitability, irregular rhythms, and fatigue of the heart muscle during physical exertion. Nevertheless, with brief rest periods and changes in activity, a child’s heart can quickly regain its strength.